Marcel Jansen and skipper Michael Ballack gave the hosts a two-goal advantage within the first nine minutes of the clash.

In the second half, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski scored twice within two minutes (48 and 50) to seal the win for Joachim Low's team.

The Germans are now top of qualifications Group 4 with 13 points, four points ahead of Russia, who have one game in hand.

In Group 8, Italy cruised past Montenegro with a 2-0 win in Podgorica.

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo scored Italy's first with a chipped penalty kick on 11 minutes.

Debutant Giampalo Pazzini added a second 16 minutes from time after the Sampdoria sensation came on for Vincenzo Iaquinta in the second half.

The win secures the Azzuri's position on top of the group with 13 points from five games.

Elsewhere, France came away from Vilnius with a valuable 1-0 win over Lithuania.

A 67th minute strike from Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery was enough to win the game for Les Blues, who are now third in Group 7, five points behind leaders Serbia.

Watch the three games' goals