A first-half goal from Zlatko Dedic earned Slovenia a place at next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, eliminating Russia on the away goals rule.
Slovenia surprised Russia with its attacking game, giving the home side little space to play.
Russia won 2-1 in Moscow on Saturday, but Slovenia’s 1-0 win was enough to secure its berth to South Africa.
Slovenia was the better side from the start and one minute before halftime, Valter Birsa passed the ball to Vfl Bochum striker Dedic, who shot into the left corner of Igor Akinfeev’s net.
Slovenia, which gained independence in 1991, played its only previous World Cup in 2002 in South Korea, but lost all three of its matches.