Almeida brace for Portuga

Miguel Danny netted in the 52nd minute with a composed finish from Deco's incisive through ball, then turned the provider as he laid on a pinpoint ball for Almeida (pictured) to tap home from close range in the 76th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo started on the substitutes' bench and was introduced midway through the second half, and the Real Madrid star's long-range shot was converted by Almeida on the rebound seven minutes later to seal victory.

Carlos Queiros's side were given a stern examination from the African outfit in open play, and a fierce drive from forward Jerry Jerry forced Eduardo into a smart save down low to his left inside the opening 10 minutes.

Liedson led the line in the solitary forward berth with Simao playing just in behind him, and the striker brought a fine save from Otshudi Lama with a rasping volley on the half hour which the goalkeeper tipped wide superbly.

But as Portugal pressed for the opening goal, Mozambique launched a swift counter attack as Momed Hadi hurtled down the right to latch on to Jerry's pass, but he could not muster a return ball with the forward waiting inside the box expectantly, and the chance went begging.

Hadi then struck the woodwork three minutes from half-time with a ferocious drive from the edge of the Portugal box, and Eduardo was comprehensively beaten as the ball rattled off the far post.

Portugal began the second half brightly with a host of substitutes warming up vigorously to spur the side into action, and the Iberian side took the lead seven minutes in.

Deco unfurled an exquisitely weighted pass into the path of Danny, who coolly rounded Lama and slipped his finish into the empty net with consummate ease to open the scoring and alleviate some of the pressure on his side.

Pedro Mendes should have made it two four minutes later with a poor finish from Simao's pass, but the substitute Almeida gave his side a two-goal cushion with an opportunist strike from Danny's devilish delivery out on the left.

The Werder Bremen striker doubled his personal tally seven minutes from time after Ronaldo had his fizzing long-range shot parried Lama, and it was again a reward for the positioning rather than the finish.

Another piledriver from the Portugese skipper was too hot to handle for Lama, but another substitute Duda scuffed the follow up tamely straight back at the keeper, and the chance was squandered.

Queiros's side continued to press for a fourth late on to no avail, but the emphatic appearance of the win will have provided confidence ahead of the finals in South Africa.

Portugal will take on Ivory Coast in their opening Group G match on June 15 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.