Kerzhakov had earned a recall to the Russian ranks thanks to an injury to striker Roman Pavluchenko and netted both goals to justify it.

Hiddink gave a debut to Spartak Moscow's Dmitri Torbinsky in midfield and started with three at the back because of injuries to key defenders Denis Kolodin and twin brothers Aleksei and Vasili Berezutsky.

And a mistake in the makeshift defence almost led to the game's first goal after 17 minutes.

Russian hearts skipped a beat when Zenit St Petersburg defender Aleksandr Aniukov carelessly gave the ball away on the edge of his own penalty area to Estonia striker Ragnar Klavan, but goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved with his feet.

It was a spirited opening from the Estonians who moments earlier had seen a header from Roda JC striker Andreas Oper punched over the bar by Akinfeev.

Young defender Roman Shishkin hit the side-netting for Russia with a free-kick on the hour, and seven minutes later Andrei Arshavin cheekily back-heeled to former Zenit clubmate Kerzhakov, who saw his shot blocked.

Vladimir Bystrov squeezed between two Estonian defenders before lashing the ball into the side-netting and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov warmed the palms of Mart Poom as Russia ended the first half well.

The second half began slowly with neither sides creating any significant openings, the best a daisy-cutter from Estonia substitute Gert Kams that Akinfeev gathered.

Veteran custodian Poom denied Russia again in the 65th minute, tipping Kerzhakov's shot wide.

But a moment later Kerzhakov made no mistake. Arshavin released his former team-mate on the right and Kerzhakov clipped a delicate shot over Poom.

The goal was credited to Kerzhakov even though Arshavin got a touch to it and 12 minutes from time the Sevilla striker capped his return to the national side by drilling a fine low strike across Poom.