LISBON (AP) ¿ Branislav Ivanovic scored the equalising goal in the 86th minute yesterday to give Serbia a 1-1 draw at Portugal in a European Championship qualifying match.

The Serbia defender tapped the ball over the line from close range after a free kick to cancel out Simao Sabrosa's 11th-minute goal.

Portugal's second draw at home in five days, following a 2-2 result against Poland on Saturday, left it in third place in Group A with 17 points, four behind leader Poland but with a game in hand.

Portugal started out strongest but faded badly in the second half.

Sabrosa, a winger, curled a free kick from outside the area past the goalkeeper's outstretched right hand in the 11th for his first international goal since February.

The free kick came after a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked sharper after his tame performance against Poland.

In the 20th, a cross from Jose Bosingwa from the right flank found striker Nuno Gomes, who sent his header against the post. Deco sent in the rebound but a reflex save from Vladimir Stojkovic kept out the ball.

Soon after, midfielder Nenad Kovacevic had Serbia's first shot on goal.

Tempers boiled over after the final whistle with Portugal coach Felipe Scolari involved in a fracas with Serbian defender Ivica Dragutinovic.