Russia's Euro 2016 Group G qualifier with Montenegro in Podgorica has been abandoned amid scenes of crowd trouble and clashes between players on the pitch.

Just seconds after kickoff, Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was struck in the head by a flare thrown from the stands behind him.

Akinfeev received treatment for several minutes on the pitch, before being stretchered off and taken to hospital.

German referee Deniz Aytekin took the players off the pitch, prompting a delay while a decision was made over whether or not play would resume.

Both sides emerged from their dressing rooms half an hour later, with Yuri Lodigin replacing Akinfeev in the Russian goal, and the game got back underway.

The remainder of the half was played in a vitriolic atmosphere, and half time was extended by 15 minutes as both sides were reportedly given safety advice.

However, it seemed a result might still be possible, until Russia were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark that was missed by Roman Shirokov, prompting a huge melee on the touchline.

With crowd trouble reportedly continuing in the stands, Aytekin made the decision to abandon the game.

Written by
Joe Sharratt