Portugal dominated the game against the Red Devils but it was only in the second half that the floodgates opened with Nuno Gomes opening the scoring before two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one from Ricardo Quaresma completed the 4-0 rout.

Scolari said: "All that was missing were goals in the first half.

"We had the best chances to win and the players had to break down an opposing team that had eight players in defence.

"In the end it was good, we won and we are happy. We have a long road in front of us but we have a chance. We are trying to put a run together."

Serbia's shock 2-1 defeat at Kazakhstan has boosted Portugal's campaign in Group A. They are level on points with Serbia in third place - one point behind Finland and three points behind group leaders Poland who have played one game more than those three other teams.

Although Ronaldo's two goals naturally grabbed the headlines, Scolari singled out Quaresma for praise.

"His was an excellent display," said the Brazilian who led his native country to glory at the 2002 World Cup and Portugal to the Euro 2004 final.

"He's not a natural goalscorer, but he could become one."

Regarding reports before the game that Belgium were singling out Ronaldo for special treatment, "Big Phil" said: "I told him he would be one of the most targeted by the Belgians. I told him just to play his football and not to complicate things."

Belgian players apologised to Ronaldo after the game for remarks that had been reported in the media.

Scolari said: "I think they did not think about what they were saying and I am sure that nothing like that would happen between professionals. Football is to make friends and not for acts of savagery."