Janko strike gives Austria the points in Russia

• Marc Janko's 33rd-minute goal settles the Group G contest
• Section leaders Austria have 16 points from six matches
• Russia are eight points adrift of top spot in third place
• Defender Nikita Chernov, 19, makes his competitive Russia debut
• Next qualifiers: Russia v Sweden, Austria v Moldova (5 September)

Marc Janko's acrobatic strike earned Austria a 1-0 win against Russia that strengthens their position atop UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group G.

Russia started nervously and their cause was not helped when they lost Vasili Berezutski to an apparent shoulder injury. He was replaced by his PFC CSKA Moskva team-mate, 19-year-old Nikita Chernov, who has yet to make a Russian Premier League appearance.

Austria took the lead on 33 minutes after Russia were guilty of failing to clear the danger from their penalty area. The ball dropped to Sydney FC forward Janko, who found the net with a spectacular, left-footed overhead kick.

Russia were in disarray and Austria should have doubled their lead a minute later. A fine, slide-rule pass from Zlatko Junuzovic put Julian Baumgartlinger clean through on goal, but the midfielder went for precision instead of power and dragged his shot narrowly wide.

Substitute Alexei Miranchuk went close for Russia ten minutes into the second half with a header, before a stinging drive from Yuri Zhirkov tested the reflexes of Robert Almer.

Marcel Sabitzer brought a smart save out of Igor Akinfeev as the visitors sought a second goal to kill the game off. It did not arrive, but the 2008 co-hosts held firm to move on to 16 points from six games, and one step closer to qualifying directly for their first UEFA European Championship.