Cristiano Ronaldo penalty earned Portugal a 1-0 victory over Finland in a friendly played in Faro on Wednesday.
Portugal has struggled to find form since coach Carlos Queiroz took charge last summer and hoped to overcome a weak start in 2010World Cup Group One qualifying by beating Sweden in Porto next month.
Queiroz made six changes to the side that was thrashed 6-2 by Brazil in a friendly in November, but despite creating over 20 chances his team could not score from open play.
Pepe was moved up from his usual central defence role to play in front of Bruno Alves and Rolando, but with the Finns posing little attacking threat the performance of the Portugal front line became the focus of attention.
Portugal had most of the possession in the first half, but failed to break down a well-organized Finnish defence. Ronaldo volleyed just wide and Hugo Almeida went close with a header, but Portugal resorted mainly to shooting from distance.
Finland had their first chance on 39 minutes when a powerful Mikael Forsell drive was blocked by keeper Eduardo. Portugal created more chances in the second-half with debutant Orlando Sa shooting wide from close range and defender Paulo Ferreira forcing substitute keeper Niki Maenpaa into a smart save.
The breakthrough came on 79 minutes with Ronaldo converting a penalty after Sami Hyypia fouled substitute striker Danny.
(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 12, 2009)
