A goal from Luis Nani gave the visitors the lead shortly before half time, but the hosts hit back through Marouane Fellaini as they fought back.

However, their brief hopes of victory were ended when Helder Postiga scored shortly after, while a late dismissal for Hugo Almeida failed to put a damper on a Portuguese victory.

The three points moved Luiz Felipe Scolari's team onto 14 points, level with Serbia, but five behind Poland.

A game full of chances saw the first one fall to Postiga after a fine Nani cross, which was excellently kept out by Stijn Stijnen - the Belgium goalkeeper averting the danger with his finger tips.

Armando Petit, Nani, Ricardo Quaresma and Postiga all came close for the Portuguese, but were let down by their inaccuracy, while Emile Mpenza at the other end fired straight at Ricardo.

On the half-hour, A long kick upfield by Stijnen picked out Steven Defour, but his drilled shot from 18-yards was straight at the visiting goalkeeper.

Ricardo was finally tested when Defour's attempted cross turned into a shot, which drew a fine save.

But Nani's powerful shot from the left, just inside the penalty area, nestled into the bottom-right corner to give his side a 43rd minute lead.

The home team immediately hit back after the restart with Francois Sterchele first testing the Portugal custodian with his low drive.

Fellaini then wastefully put his header over before the pressure finally told in the 55th minute.

Defour was the provider as his well-crafted cross from the right was met perfectly by Fellaini's head as the Belgians looked to be gaining the ascendancy.

But that advantage was almost immediately erased with Postiga finally coming good in the 64th minute, his 20-yard shot giving Stijnen no chance as it nestled into the bottom right corner of the goal.

The home team had no answer and the closest they came in the closing minutes was from a Philippe Clement header, Almeida saw straight red for a lunge on Jan Vertonghen