Portugal are 45 minutes away from going top of Group I in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign after taking in a 1-0 lead at the break at home to Serbia in Lisbon.

Ricardo Carvalho gave the hosts the lead inside the first 10 minutes when he rose highest to head home a cross from Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao.

Carvalho's evening was short-lived however, and the Monaco centre-back was forced off on 17 minutes with a hamstring injury.

Southampton winger Dusan Tadic almost restored parity but his powerful effort flashed just wide of the post before the half-hour mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo then went close with a well-struck effort from range, but the Real Madrid forward was denied by a good save from goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

Written by
Paul Gorst