Marc Janko scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Austria maintained their grip on European Championship qualifying Group G with a 1-0 away win over Russia. Second-placed Sweden beat Montenegro 3-1, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring two goals.
Janko’s winner came in the 33rd minute after Russia’s Denis Glushakov blocked two attempts by Zlatko Junozovic inside the penalty area. The rebound rose high and Janko timed his jump perfectly to score with his back to goal. Julian Baumgartlinger then missed a chance to make it 2-0 when he shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
After a poor first half, Russia improved in the second, testing the Austriagoalkeeper Robert Almer with a series of attempts. Aleksandr Kerzhakov headed wide in the 88th minute and Russia failed to mount any pressure in injury time.
The result means Austria remain undefeated in the group with 16 points, eight clear of Russia, who are third. Fabio Capello’s team have won only two of their last 10 competitive matches, including a win by default due to crowd trouble in Montenegro.
Sweden moved up to 12 points after three goals within six minutes gave Erik Hamren’s side a 3-0 half-time lead against the Montenegrins. Marcus Berg headed in a cross from Albin Ekdal in the 38th minute and Ibrahimovic added two goals before the break.
Dejan Damjanovic scored a penalty in the 64th to bring Montenegro back into the game. Within minutes, Fatos Beciraj had a great chance to score a second for the visitors, but the keeper Andreas Isaksson made a diving save.
At the bottom of the group, Liechtenstein and Moldova drew 1-1 in Vaduz. Sandro Wieser gave the home team the lead with a powerful long-range strike after 20 minutes but Moldova’s Gheorghe Boghiu equalised before half-time after a pass from Nicolae Milinceanu.