Carlos Queiroz's new Portugal side get their qualifying campaign off to a flying start with a 4-0 win over Malta.

Hugo Almeida, Simao Sabrosa and Nani added some shine to the scoreline in the final 30 minutes after Brian Said had put through his own net to give the visitors a first-half lead in their Group One clash.

After a pause in the game early on due to the failure of the floodlights in the Maltese capital, Portugal set about maintaining Queiroz's 100% record since taking over the reins from Luiz Felipe Scolari in July.

But it was Said who put the visitors ahead when he tried to prevent a Jose Bosingwa cross from reaching Almeida and in the process turned the ball into his own goal.

Once ahead Portugal threatened little for the remainder of the opening period, but came out after the break full of attacking intent.

It took 17 minutes for their offensive style to pay off, when Almeida received the ball from a long throw-in and found the net with a shot which may have been intended as a cross.

Simao made it 3-0 which a fierce shot in the 71st minute, before Nani capped off a fine Portuguese display with a coolly-taken finish from inside the area with 12 minutes left.

There were no other goals elsewhere in Group One, however, as Sweden could only muster a goalless draw in their game away to Albania.

Henrik Larsson winning his 100th cap for his country was the only highlight of a low-key affair, but the former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United forward was unable to inspire his team to an opening-day win.

Instead it was Internazionale striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who went closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot which struck the post in the 17th minute.

He was again denied by Albania keeper Arjan Beqaj just before the hour mark as Sweden searched in vain for a winner.

To make matters worse for Lars Lagerback's side, Tobias Linderoth limped off the field just six minutes into the game.

In the final game of the group Denmark also drew a blank in a 0-0 draw with Hungary.

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner struck the post for the Danes in the first half, while Hungary's Szabolcs Huszti missed the chance of the match when he latched on to Lars Jacobsen's poor backpass but shot straight at Stephan Andersen in the Denmark goal.