<p>European champions Portugal got their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to an Azerbaijan own-goal in a tight 1-0 Group A victory in Turin on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Azeri captain Maksim Medvedev turned the ball into his own net on 36 minutes, but that was all Portugal could muster against their 108th-ranked opponents.</p>.<p>Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score at his club side's Juventus Stadium -- with the game on neutral ground due to coronavirus travel restrictions -- remaining seven goals short of Iranian Ali Daei's all-time international scoring record of 109 goals.</p>.<p>Fernando Santos's side struggled due to poor finishing, a dogged Azeri defence and a series of fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev.</p>.<p>The Portuguese were camped in front of their rivals' goal early, with an Andre Silva header flying over the bar in the 12th minute.</p>.<p>The Azeri keeper kept out a Ronaldo header on 23 minutes, with Manchester City's Joao Cancelo rifling just wide from a tight angle before the half-hour mark.</p>.<p>The breakthrough came from a goalmouth scramble, with Magomedaliyev punching the ball out, hitting Medvedev and bouncing into the back of his own net.</p>.<p>Ronaldo sent an overhead kick attempt before the break over and missed further chances to score his 103rd Portugal goal in the second half.</p>.<p>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner set up Bruno Fernandes with 15 minutes to go, but the Manchester United midfielder's shot was tipped over the bar by Magomedaliyev, who saved a Ronaldo free-kick at full stretch with five minutes to go.</p>.<p>Portugal, who reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1966 and 2006, next travel to Serbia on Saturday and Luxembourg three days later.</p>
<p>European champions Portugal got their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to an Azerbaijan own-goal in a tight 1-0 Group A victory in Turin on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Azeri captain Maksim Medvedev turned the ball into his own net on 36 minutes, but that was all Portugal could muster against their 108th-ranked opponents.</p>.<p>Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score at his club side's Juventus Stadium -- with the game on neutral ground due to coronavirus travel restrictions -- remaining seven goals short of Iranian Ali Daei's all-time international scoring record of 109 goals.</p>.<p>Fernando Santos's side struggled due to poor finishing, a dogged Azeri defence and a series of fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev.</p>.<p>The Portuguese were camped in front of their rivals' goal early, with an Andre Silva header flying over the bar in the 12th minute.</p>.<p>The Azeri keeper kept out a Ronaldo header on 23 minutes, with Manchester City's Joao Cancelo rifling just wide from a tight angle before the half-hour mark.</p>.<p>The breakthrough came from a goalmouth scramble, with Magomedaliyev punching the ball out, hitting Medvedev and bouncing into the back of his own net.</p>.<p>Ronaldo sent an overhead kick attempt before the break over and missed further chances to score his 103rd Portugal goal in the second half.</p>.<p>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner set up Bruno Fernandes with 15 minutes to go, but the Manchester United midfielder's shot was tipped over the bar by Magomedaliyev, who saved a Ronaldo free-kick at full stretch with five minutes to go.</p>.<p>Portugal, who reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1966 and 2006, next travel to Serbia on Saturday and Luxembourg three days later.</p>