Defenders scored both Portuguese goals as Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao netted in each half, either side of a spectacular equaliser from Nemanja Matic with an overhead kick.

Portugal's third straight win under Fernando Santos, who took charge after Cristiano Ronaldo's team lost their opening qualifier against Albania, gave them nine points from four games. 

They are two points ahead of second-place Denmark, who have a game in hand, and Albania, who beat Armenia 2-1 in the day's other Group I game.

Serbia have one point from four games as they try to make up lost ground after being deducted three points for disturbances during a home qualifier against Albania last October.

The top two from the nine groups qualify automatically for Euro 2016.

Carvalho, unmarked in the Serbian penalty area, headed in Danny's cross after 10 minutes, putting Portugal on the road to victory despite a patchy performance.

Portugal shifted down a gear after the goal and allowed openings for the Serbians, with Dusan Tadic shooting wide.

Ronaldo had little influence on the game until he unleashed a powerful swerving shot on the half-hour which Vladimir Stojkovic just managed to push wide, and two minutes later the striker pierced the visitor's defense with a run before he was closed down.

(dailymail.co.uk)