Fabio Capello had called for his side to more clinical in the wake of their disappointing 1-1 draw against Norway last weekend.
And his players evidently heeded that request as they cruised to a comfortable victory against a Morocco team that rarely threatened at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow.
And Capello may be left sweating on the fitness of Denis Glushakov, who was withdrawn from the squad and replaced in midfield by Igor Denisov after suffering an injury in the warm-up.
It took 23 minutes for the game's opening chance to arrive, but that almost brought the first goal as Omar El Kaddouri struck the post with a low effort following neat build-up play from the visitors.
That scare seemed to spark Russia into life and they would have taken the lead had Aleksandr Kokorin been able to connect with Zhirkov's deflected delivery across the face of goal.
Russia’s advantage would have been doubled a minute before half-time if not for the fine reflexes of Morocco goalkeeper Karim Fegrouche, who produced a fine stop to deny Kokorin on the half-volley.
The Dinamo Moscow midfielder met a clearance from a corner with a fierce volley from just outside the area to put Capello's men in complete command.
But that proved to Morocco's last clear-cut opportunity as Russia easily held on for a win that should give them confidence ahead of their World Cup opener against South Korea on June 17.
