João Moutinho rifled home in the 66th minute to book Portugal’s place at Euro 2016 in France with a 1-0 win over Denmark in their Group I qualifier in Braga.
Portugal top the group on 18 points, six ahead of Denmark and seven ahead of Albania, who lost 2-0 at home to Serbia.
Knowing a point would be enough to see them through to the finals in France, Portugal started slowly. Cristiano Ronaldo forced Kasper Schmeichel into an early save and Nicklas Bendtner blasted an excellent chance over the bar for Denmark.
Bernardo Silva went down in the penalty area midway through the first half, only for the referee to wave away Portuguese appeals for a penalty.
Moutinho put Denmark on alert when he fired a vicious shot from distance but he could not keep the ball down and it flew harmlessly over Schmeichel’s goal.
Nani also went close towards the end of the first half, looping a header over Schmeichel but it bounced harmlessly off the top of the crossbar.
Denmark almost went ahead when Bendtner, who has netted six times against Portugal, hit an early second-half shot which came back off a post.
It was to prove a costly miss when Moutinho opened the scoring in the 66th minute, collecting a poor defensive header and jinking into position before hammering the ball past Schmeichel.
Denmark earned a flurry of late corners but they could not force the ball past Rui Patrício and Portugal held on for the win.
Denmark have completed their qualification campaign, while Portugal are away to Serbia on Sunday and Albania travel to Armenia where only a win will suffice to snatch second spot from Denmark.
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