THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LISBON, Portugal — Bruno Alves’ goal gave Portugal a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup playoff Saturday and a slender advantage going into the return leg.
Alves headed in Nani’s cross from the right flank in the 31st minute for his fifth international goal.
Portugal, without injured Cristiano Ronaldo, outplayed the visitors for long periods but couldn’t extend its lead.
The return leg is on Wednesday in Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"We had some great chances to score and put ourselves in a more comfortable position," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said. "But the important thing was that we played intelligently. We won without conceding any goals."
Bosnia almost snatched a late draw when Edin Dzeko hit the bar and Zlatan Muslimovic the post in quick succession in the final minutes.
Portugal’s failure to translate its flair into goals also dogged its World Cup qualifying campaign as it finished behind Denmark in Group 1. The Portuguese got 17 goals in 10 games compared with Bosnia’s 30.
"We won’t be playing on the defensive there," Portugal winger Simao Sabroso said of the return leg. "We’ll be trying to keep possession and make some goalscoring chances."
Portugal slackened after taking the lead and failed to produce another shot on goal before halftime.
Bosnia reacted through Sejad Salihovic, who fired a low shot that forced Eduardo to dive sharply to his left in the 38th, and Senijad Ibricic headed against the bar from a corner just before the interval.
The Portuguese burst back into life 10 minutes after the restart. Liedson chipped the ball over his marker inside the area before volleying wide, and a minute later Deco was unmarked for a curling shot from the edge of the area.
Then Raul Meireles and Simao Sabrosa tested Kenan Hasagic in quick succession as Portugal overran its opponent.
Bosnia had struck only one shot in the second half before its late flurry of action.