KRASNODAR, Russia (AFP) - Russia got back into the hunt for a place at the 2006 World Cup finals as they thrashed Estonia 4-0 in their Group Three qualifier.
Samara midfielder Andrei Karyaka and Lokomotiv Moscow trio - Marat Izmailov and Dmitry Loskov and striker Dmitry Sychev - all scored for Russia.
The result lifted Russia over Estonia into third in the table with seven points from four matches, three points behind the leaders Portugal, who play at Luxembourg later on Wednesday and who humiliated the Russians 7-1 earlier in the campaign.
Both sides started the match cautiously at a rain-soaked Krasnodar stadium.
Russia, who were in a desperate need of a win to stay in the race for a place in the 2006 World Cup finals, dominated play but failed to make that count as they made too many own mistakes on the slippery surface.
But in the 23rd minute Russia, spurred on by a capacity 28,000 home crowd, took the lead through Karyaka, who stunned the visitors with a well-struck freekick from 25 metres which sped into the right-hand corner.
Two minutes later Russia doubled their lead after Karyaka fooled two Estonian defenders and dribbled into the box feeding Izmailov, who turned in his cross from 10 metres out.
Russia eased up after that but nevertheless netted their third before the break through Sychev, the former Marseille striker beating Estonian goalkeeper Martin Kaalma with a 18-metre shot into the top right-hand corner again from Karyaka's pass.
Russia also dominated the second half, creating scoring chances regularly but missed them all.
However, Loskov rounded off the scoring when he netted Russia's fourth with 20 minutes remaining with a penalty after Estonian defender Teet Allas fouled Alexander Kerzhakov in the box.
11/17/2004 - 18:57 GMT - AFP