Portugal boosted their precarious hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa with a hard-fought victory over Hungary in Budapest.
Pepe's goal proved the difference between the sides this evening as Carlos Queiroz's team moved onto 13 points in Group One and leapfrogged their hosts into third spot.
The result leaves the Portuguese five points behind pool leaders Denmark and two adrift of second-placed Sweden with two rounds of matches remaining.
Portugal have endured a disappointing qualifying campaign and run the risk of missing out on a place in South Africa, with their destiny not in their own hands in next month's final qualifiers.
Despite their worries, Portugal started brightly tonight.
Real Madrid's Pepe, occupying a defensive midfield role, converted the visitors' first noteworthy chance of the match in the 10th minute.
A free-kick from Deco on the left side found Pepe, who had timed his run perfectly to nod home what proved to be the winner.
Denmark's were held to a disappointing draw against Albania in Tirana.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner gave the Danes the lead five minutes before half-time but Albania fought back and Erjon Bogdani levelled the scores in the 50th minute.
Albania created a decent opening after half an hour's play when Bogdani played in Amsi Agolli, but his powerful shot went wide.
Ten minutes later though the home side fell behind when some hesitant defending from Debatik Curri allowed Bendtner to head past Samir Ujkani in the Albania goal.
The introduction of Jahmir Hyka for Elvin Beqiri early in the second half caused the Danes some problems and the hosts drew level in the 50th minute.
Armend Dallku's long ball found Hamdi Salihi, and he had the presence of mind to slip in a clever pass for Bogdani to equalise.
Sweden bolstered their hopes of World Cup qualification after a second lucky winner in successive games.
After Zlatan Ibrahimovic snatched a fortunate stoppage-time goal to see off Hungary on Saturday, tonight Sweden needed an own goal from Malta'sIan Azzopardi to clinch three points.
Azzopardi deflected the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg after 81 minutes, after Sweden'sMarcus Berg shot across goal.
The result leaves the Portuguese five points behind pool leaders Denmark and two adrift of second-placed Sweden with two rounds of matches remaining.
Portugal have endured a disappointing qualifying campaign and run the risk of missing out on a place in South Africa, with their destiny not in their own hands in next month's final qualifiers.
Despite their worries, Portugal started brightly tonight.
Real Madrid's Pepe, occupying a defensive midfield role, converted the visitors' first noteworthy chance of the match in the 10th minute.
A free-kick from Deco on the left side found Pepe, who had timed his run perfectly to nod home what proved to be the winner.
Denmark's were held to a disappointing draw against Albania in Tirana.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner gave the Danes the lead five minutes before half-time but Albania fought back and Erjon Bogdani levelled the scores in the 50th minute.
Albania created a decent opening after half an hour's play when Bogdani played in Amsi Agolli, but his powerful shot went wide.
Ten minutes later though the home side fell behind when some hesitant defending from Debatik Curri allowed Bendtner to head past Samir Ujkani in the Albania goal.
The introduction of Jahmir Hyka for Elvin Beqiri early in the second half caused the Danes some problems and the hosts drew level in the 50th minute.
Armend Dallku's long ball found Hamdi Salihi, and he had the presence of mind to slip in a clever pass for Bogdani to equalise.
Sweden bolstered their hopes of World Cup qualification after a second lucky winner in successive games.
After Zlatan Ibrahimovic snatched a fortunate stoppage-time goal to see off Hungary on Saturday, tonight Sweden needed an own goal from Malta'sIan Azzopardi to clinch three points.
Azzopardi deflected the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg after 81 minutes, after Sweden'sMarcus Berg shot across goal.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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