Montenegro vs Russia suspended after goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev hit by a flare and carried off less than a minute into qualifier

Akinfeev has been rushed to hospital

The match between Montenegro and Russia was suspended before play resumed and then was later abandoned after Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was hit by a flare just seconds into the game in Podgorica.

The lit flare was thrown from behind the goal - a place occupied by Montenegro's supporters - during the Group G fixture, and appeared to strike Akinfeev in the back of the head approximately 20 seconds after kick-off, causing him to fall to the floor.

He was then carried off the pitch on a stretcher, as German referee Deniz Aytekin stopped the game and ushered the other players away.

The game did resume after a 30 minute stoppage, only to be abandoned after 67 minutes because the two sets of players began brawling and objects were thrown from the stands - it had been announced when the game first resumed that the game would be abandoned if there was more trouble in the crowd.

Akinfeev has been examined by medics, and is being taken to hospital for further tests, Russian TV has reported, citing a spokesman for the national team.

Akinfeev was taken to hospital for further tests (Reuters)

Russian fans light a flare (Reuters)

Tonight's game was the first that Russia and Montenegro have played against each other.

Russia and Montenegro are third and fourth respectively in Group G, both with five points from four games.

The incident comes after a Euro 2016 qualifier match between Serbia and Albania last year was abandoned after a drone carrying a political banner was flown into the stadium.

The game was abandoned on 67 minutes when players began to brawl (Reuters)

When a Serbian player attempting to pull down the banner, Albanian players struggled to protect it. In the resulting disorder, Serbian fans attacked Albania players. Both teams were punished over the incident.

Additional reporting from Reuters and AP