Hugo Almeida fired Portugal in front in the 28th minute but their lead lasted a matter of seconds before Erjon Bogdani equalised.

The visitors looked to be heading for their fourth successive draw when Bruno Alves bagged the winner in the third minute of stoppage time to rescue Portugal's World Cup dreams and deal a blow to the Albanians, in their first match under new Croatian coach Josip Kuze.

The result leaves Portugal in third place, seven points behind Group One leaders Denmark and three behind Hungary, with Sweden three points further back with a game in hand.

Albania are level on points with Sweden but have played three matches more.

It will also come as a huge relief to coach Carlos Queiroz who would have been hanging onto his job by an ever thinning thread had Portugal not picked up all three points.

The match got off to a poor start and there were no real chances on goal until shortly before the half-hour mark when Almeida headed home Jose Bosingwa's cross.

But their joy was shortlived before Ervin Skela sent a cross into the area which Bogdani headed in for the equaliser.

Queiroz pushed Cristiano Ronaldo forward in the second half but to little avail.

However, the Manchester United star almost gave the visitors the lead 10 minutes after the restart with a powerful free-kick which Albania goalkeeper Isli Hidi just managed to keep out.

Portugal were lucky not to go behind four minutes later when Ricardo Carvalho brought down Bogdani in the area but the referee waved play on much to the Albanians' disgust.

That seemed to spur the visitors on and they attacked in numbers although they never managed to really have a sight of goal.

Just when it looked as if Portugal were heading for an embarrassing draw Bruno Alves rose high in the area to head home Raul Meireles' cross and spare his side's blushes.