World Cup qualifier: Portugal revive World Cup hopes

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Portugal beat Albania 2-1 at Tirana to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup alive.

Hugo Almeida put the visiting side ahead on 27 minutes when he headed home José Bosingwa's cross.

But the Albanians equalised almost immediately as Ervin Skela crossed the ball from the left and Erjon Bogdani's header leveled the game.

And the winning goal came in the third minute of stoppage time as Bruno Alves rose higher than Albania's goalkeeper Isli Hidi and headed the ball into the back of the net following a Raul Meireles cross.

Portugal are now third with nine points in Group 1 - seven behind Denmark and four back from Hungary.


Lineups:

Albania: Hidi; Beqiri, Vangjeli, Vrapi, Curri; Skela, Cana, Agolli, Bulku, Duro (Berisha 87); Bogdani (Salihi 64)

Portugal: Eduardo; José Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho (Nani 76), Pepe, Bruno Alves; Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Raul Meireles, Duda, Boa Morte (Simão 46); Hugo Almeida (Edinho 69)

Albania	1 - 2	Portugal
Erjon Bogdani 29		Hugo Almeida 27
		Bruno Alves 90

Albania v Portugal goal & highlights

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