Guus Hiddink'sRussia side were given a tough test by a young Wales team but ran out 3-1 winners at the Millennium Stadium, and the match against Germany on October 10 now looks like it will be vital in deciding top spot in the pool.

Wales were behind at the break after Andrey Arshavin created a fine goal for Igor Semshov.

James Collins equalised for the Welsh soon after the interval after steering in Aaron Ramsey's corner, but a free-kick from Sergei Ignashevich and a late goal from substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko settled the issue.

The win kept them a point behind Germany, who hammered Azerbaijan 4-0 in Hanover.

Michael Ballack opened the scoring with a penalty in the 14th minute, but Germany coach Joachim Low would not have been happy with the remainder of the first half as his side risked conceding an equaliser.

Their guests had Samir Abbasov sent off early in the second half and there was no stopping Germany with a one-man advantage.

Two goals from Miroslav Klose and a Lukas Podolski strike sealed the comprehensive win.

Finland's outside hopes of qualification ended as they could only draw 1-1 in Liechtenstein.

Veteran Jari Litmanen converted a penalty in the 74th minute - but the Finns were pegged back instantly by a goal from Michele Polverino.