A goal by right-back Oleg Kuzmin and a precise spot-kick by forward Alexander Kokorin set Russia on their way to the fourth win in as many matches since Leonid Slutsky took over in August from sacked Italian Fabio Capello.

The result saw Russia finish in second, eight points behind the Group G winners Austria, who thrashed Liechtenstein 3-0 in Vienna.

Sweden, who defeated Moldova 2-0, at home, in the other Group G match to finish third, two points further back, will try to battle into next summer's Euro finals via the playoffs.

Russia, who needed just a point against unmotivated Montenegro in a sold out match at 45,000-seat Otkrytie arena to guarantee themselves a top-two finish, started in a lively fashion pinning the visitors back from the kick-off.

Midfielder Alan Dzagoev had a chance to open the scoring in the seventh minute but Montenegro 'keeper Milan Mijatovic stopped his low shot confidently from the edge of the area. 

The guests, who came to Moscow without injured Inter Milan forward Stevan Jovetic and Mirko Vucinic, who has been sent off in the match with Austria, replied with an angled close-range shot by Stanisa Mandic, which flew over the crossbar.

In the 33rd minute Igor Denisov lobbed the ball into the area over the line of the visiting side defenders and the 34-year-old Kuzmin poked the ball into the net past Mijatovic from just outside the six-yard box.

Three minutes later Russia were awarded a penalty kick after Vladimir Rodic fouled Dmitry Kombarov in the area and Kokorin made it 2-0 for Russia sending Mijatovic the wrong way from the spot.

After the interval Russia continued testing the defense of Montenegro, who were without their coach Branko Brnovic, who was serving a touchline ban after being sent off in the match against Austria, but failed to improve on the scoreline.