Portugal cruised to victory in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup by thrashing the Republic of Ireland 5-1 in New Jersey.

Following his recent injury problems, Cristiano Ronaldo provided a boost for Portugal as he returned to the starting XI, but it was another forward who opened the scoring in just the second minute.

Silvestre Varela managed to find space on the right wing, and his cross invited Hugo Almeida to head home from close range.

Martin O'Neill's side continued to live dangerously after conceding the early goal, with David Forde being forced to deny Raul Meireles before a trademark Ronaldo free kick struck the post.

Portugal's second of the match, which arrived in the 20th minute, came in fortunate fashion as Richard Keogh inadvertently put the ball past Forde as he attempted to clear Fabio Coentrao's delivery across the box.

The match was effectively over just eight minutes before the interval when Forde could only parry a Ronaldo header into the path of Almeida, who tapped home for his second goal of the night.

Ireland managed to reduce Portugal's lead early in the second half by taking advantage of some poor defending to work the ball to James McClean, and the winger managed to cut into the box before firing past Rui Patricio.

Despite briefly threatening to produce a fightback, Ireland were forced onto the back foot as Forde was forced to beat away a powerful free kick from Ronaldo.

Two substitutes combined to score the fourth in the 77th minute when Nani's inch-perfect delivery saw Vieirinha head straight at Forde, who could only watch the same player convert the rebound.

The victory was completed six minutes later thanks to a clinical piece of counter-attacking play from Portugal as Nani sliced open the Irish defence with a clever through-ball, allowing Coentrao to slot home his side's fifth of the night.