Ronaldo strikes late as Portugal hold the Oranje

The record crowd of 29,021 packed into the Estádio Algarve were eventually rewarded for their support as Cristiano Ronaldo struck three minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.

Kevin Strootman's 17th-minute strike and some fine goalkeeping from Michel Vorm looked to have earned victory for the Oranje when Ronaldo popped up following a corner to convert his 39th international goal.

The game therefore ended as it had begun, with Portugal making much of the running. The visitors looked to soak up the pressure and catch their hosts on the break and the policy bore dividends when Strootman, in an advanced position, received the ball and drilled a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Beto.

The blow rocked Portugal for a while as they struggled for ideas, though they so nearly equalised before the half-hour mark, Rúben Micael firing wide after finding a bit of space. Ronaldo did find the net before the interval but his effort was scrubbed off for offside – never mind, his time would come.

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie continued to create problems but the home side began the second half confidently. Fábio Coentrão tested Vorm from an acute angle and Ronaldo asked rather more of the goalkeeper with a shot that forced a fantastic save. Still Paulo Bento's players pressed and eventually Ronaldo gave them and the stadium-record crowd their reward.