While the performance was perhaps less than convincing, the result is all that will matter as Russia hope to emerge from this latest round of fixtures top of Group B.

Igor Semshov’s 41st-minute strike was enough to win this one and they will now turn their attention to the visit of fellow challengers, the Republic of Ireland, on Tuesday.

Russia are likely to need a better performance against a stronger team as they afforded Macedonia too many chances tonight.

The visitors began strongly with Ivan Trickovski having three shots on goal inside the opening 10 minutes.

Yury Zhirkov, Andrey Arshavin and Semshov all missed the target as Russia sought to respond, but they could not prevent Macedonia having further chances with Agim Ibraimi finding the hands of Viacheslav Malafeev in the Russia goal before Mirko Ivanovski blazed over.

Ibraimi sent another chance wide before Semshov settled Russian nerves with a neat finish from Arshavin’s assist.

Goran Pandev missed the final chance of the half for the visitors, but they continued to worry Russia after the break with Malafeev parrying Ibraimi’s effort.

Russia could not find the second that might have killed them off with Alexander Kerzhakov and Roman Pavlyuchenko both going close before Dmitri Torbinsky forced Martin Bogatinov into a good save with a header.

Goran Popov and Pandev missed opportunities for the visitors in the final stages, with the best being Popov’s powerful drive from 25 yards which Malafeev had to tip around the post in stoppage time.