PARIS (AFP) - Portugal slipped up in their bid to close the gap on Euro 2008 qualifier Group A leaders Poland when Luiz Felipe Scolari's 2004 finalists were held to a 1-1 draw in Armenia on Wednesday.

Portugal found themselves trailing in the 11th minute after Robert Arzumanyan put Armenia ahead, but Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo saved the visitors' blushes with a 37th minute equaliser.

The draw left Portugal in third, four points behind Poland, with one game in hand.

Finland are placed second, three points adrift, after a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan in Helsinki.

In other Group A action struggling Belgium overcame Serbia 3-2 in Brussels, a result that left them in midtable in fifth.

Nigel Worthington's first match in charge of Northern Ireland since taking over from Lawrie Sanchez resulted in a comfortable 3-1 win over minnows Lichtenstein at Windsor Park.

A brace from David Healy and another from Kyle Lafferty inspired the win with Lichtenstein's Mario Frick pulling one back a minute from time.

Northern Ireland moved to within two points of Group F leaders Sweden.

Wednesday's other Euro 2008 qualifier tie was a bottom of the table scrap in Group D with Cyprus emerging 1-0 winners over San Marino.