Russia, recovering from a player rebellion which wrecked the team's World Cup chances, laboured to break down the part-timers' packed defense.
They had scored only once until they decided to change tactics and resort to long-range shots.
Igor Kolyvanov doubled the score in the 63rd minute with a 25-meter free kick and less than 60 seconds later full back Yury Nikiforov belted home a magnificent 30-meter shot.
Dmitry Radchenko headed in from close range in the 66th minute to wrap up the scoring. The cross was provided by Igor Shalimov, one of several rebels who returned to the fold after previous national coach Pavel Sadyrin was fired.
Several other rebels were back in the team but found it hard to break through the massed ranks of a San Marino side which had conceded 79 goals in their previous 18 matches.
Midfielder Valery Karpin finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a fine header from 12 meters which looped over goalkeeper Pierluigi Benedettini. He had little else to do in the first half.
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