Portugal 2-1 Belgium: Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani score in rescheduled game

By Rory O'Callaghan

Image: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored during the 2-1 victory in Leiria

Portugal continued their preparations for Euro 2016 with a 2-1 friendly victory over Belgium on Tuesday.

A second half header from Romelu Lukaku was not enough for the visitors as first half goals from former Manchester United team mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani gave the hosts a much-needed win in Leiria.  

The match, originally due to be played in Brussels, had to be moved to the Portuguese city for security reasons, following the attacks in the Belgian capital that killed 30 on March 22.

Portugal, who suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria on Friday, started the match the stronger of the two sides and deservedly went ahead after 20 minutes through Nani.

Image: Portuguese fans show their support for people of Brussels following the terror attacks earlier this month

Ronaldo, who was out to make amends after missing a penalty against the Bulgarians last week, got his name on the score sheet five minutes before the break - coolly heading past Thibaut Courtois from close range to double the hosts' advantage.

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Belgium were without a number of key players for the friendly including Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne but managed to pull a goal back when Lukaku headed in a fine cross from his brother, Jordan, with half an hour to go.

Image: The defeat ends a run of seven consecutive victories in friendlies for Belgium

However, the visitors, who are currently ranked as the world's best side, struggled to create any more clear-cut chances and it was Portugal who could have gone further in front when former Chelsea winger Ricardo Quaresma blazed over from 12 yards in the game's dying moments.

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The defeat ends a run of seven consecutive victories in friendlies for Marc Wilmots' side. 

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