Barely two months have passed since Russia famously dumped Holland out of Euro 2008, yet Wednesday's friendly signified the start of a new era for the Dutch and their coach Bert Van Marwijk.

That match in Basel proved the last in the famous orange colours for Edwin Van Der Sar and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who both retired from international football after the finals, while coach Marco Van Basten has since taken over the reins at Ajax.

And Van Marwijk's reign got off to a good start as Arsenal striker Van Persie put the Dutch ahead on 24 minutes.

A free-kick from Mark van Bommel, back in the Dutch set-up for the first time in two years, caused confusion in the Russian box, the ball eventually falling to Johnny Heitinga.

The Atletico Madrid full-back's shot was blocked with the ball eventually knocked back to Van Persie, who took a touch before expertly bending a shot past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and into the top corner of the Russian net.

Prior to the goal the clearest opportunity in an otherwise static opening 20 minutes fell to Russia midfielder Igor Semshov, who volleyed wide from 20 yards after a fine run and pull-back from Roman Pavlyuchenko.

A goal to the good, the Dutch attack, led by the lively Arjen Robben on the left, now had their tails up and Akinfeev had to be on guard to prevent the Dutch grabbing a quick second.

Real Madrid newcomer Rafael Van Der Vaart tried a cheeky chip from the edge of the box that the Russian goalkeeper scrambled to tip over, and from the resulting corner Van Persie saw his firm header superbly pushed over the bar by the CSKA Moscow shot-stopper.

At the other end midfielder Vladimir Bystrov was causing Holland problems on the right flank and was the instigator of Russia's best chance of the half, providing a dangerous low cross across the Dutch penalty area that eluded his Spartak Moscow team-mate Pavlyuchenko by a whisker.

Pavlyuchenko's participation ended prematurely after landing awkwardly on his right ankle and was replaced on 38 minutes by debutant and another Spartak team-mate, Nikita Bazhenov.

Russia started the second half strongly and had an opportunity to level just moments after the restart when Yuri Zhirkov, celebrating his 25th birthday, picked up a clever pass by Andrei Arshavin only to scuff his shot, which was saved comfortably by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Akinfeev however remained the busier of the two goalkeepers, saving from Holland substitute Jan Venegoor of Hesselink in the 74th minute and moments later fisting clear a 25-yard stinger from Heitinga.

The equaliser came when Dmitri Torbinsky, scorer of the crucial second goal in Basle and on as substitute on Wednesday, went down under a clumsy challenge by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.

Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt awarded a penalty despite Dutch protests, and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Zyryanov coolly tucked the ball past Stekelenburg for 1-1.

The Dutch had the chance to restore their lead with seven minutes to go, with Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt both seeing shots blocked, while Akinfeev saved a Venegoor of Hesselink shot from point-blank range in stoppage time.

The real work of World Cup qualification begins on September 10 for both sides, with Russia at home to Wales while the Dutch face a trip to FYR Macedonia.