Summary Slutsky took over last month following the sacking of Italian Fabio Capello
MOSCOW (AFP) - New Russia coach Leonid Slutsky got off to a winning start with a 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Sweden which keeps their hopes of the final alive with three games left.
Slutsky took over last month following the sacking of Italian Fabio Capello and a first-half Artem Dzyuba goal set Russia on their way to a hard-fought win in Moscow.
Russia stay third in Group G but closed the gap on second-placed Sweden to one point, with leaders Austria playing Moldova later on Saturday.
Russia, spurred by a capacity 45,000 home crowd, started in a lively fashion and in the eighth minute Spartak Moscow midfielder Roman Shirokov sent the ball home but his goal was ruled off for offside.
The home team dominated and in the 38th minute Shirokov back-heeled the ball into the area to Igor Smolnikov, who found the unmarked Dzyuba near the penalty spot and he kept his cool to send the ball into unguarded corner.
After the interval Sweden manager Erik Hamren boosted his team s attack bringing in Ola Toivonen in place of skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who failed to shine in the first half.
Sweden started to get into the game pinning Russia back and in the 62nd minute the Rennes striker had a clear chance to level but Russian goalie Igor Akinfeyev parried his powerful close-range shot.
Russia looked visibly tired late in the game but the Swedes failed to take advantage of their superior fitness.
Emil Forsberg missed Sweden s last chance in stoppage time as his powerful low attempt from the edge of the area was cleared by Akinfeyev for a corner.
