Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Oct 12, 2015 at 5pm UK

Russia
2-0
Montenegro

Kuzmin (33'), Kokorin (37' pen.)

FT(HT: 2-0)

Match Report

Football

Russia confirm place at Euro 2016 with 2-0 win over Montenegro in Group G

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter

Published: October 12 2015 | 17:51

Last updated: October 13 2015 | 10:07

Russia earn automatic qualification into Euro 2016 in France next year as goals from Oleg Kuzmin and Aleksandr Kokorin give them a 2-0 win over Montenegro in Group G.

Russia confirmed their safe passage into Euro 2016 in France next year by beating Montenegro 2-0 at the Otkrytie Arena in Group G this evening.

Leonid Viktorovich Slutsky's men sought to put some pressure on debutant Montenegro keeper Milan Mijatovic early on, but the youngster proved equal to the hosts' opening efforts.

Russia's midfielder Pavel Mamaev, Russia's defender Sergei Ignashevich and Russia's forward Aleksandr Kokorin celebrate their victory over Montenegro after the UEFA Euro 2016 group G qualifying football match between Russia and Montenegro at the Otkrytie © Getty Images

The visitors were under pressure for much of the first half, but they were tight at the back as Russia were left pondering how to find the opening goal after a tough 30 minutes in Moscow.

Russia were able to eventually find the breakthrough just a few minutes later, however, as defender Oleg Kuzmin got his toe on the end of a cross from Igor Denisov to push the home side in front.

Things soon became even better for the Russians when Vladimir Rodic brought Dmitri Kombarov down inside the area, leaving Aleksandr Kokorin to slot a penalty past Mijatovic to make it 2-0 after 37 minutes.

The hosts might have added a third goal before the final whistle, but Mijatovic continued to make a lasting impression for the away side as he pulled off a good stop to deny the experienced Roman Shirokov late on.