Portugal ensured they stayed in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6 contention by inflicting Moldova's fourth straight defeat in the section.

Aiming to remain within five points of leaders Russia, who beat Portugal last month, and draw level with a team that held them at home in October, Poland, Rui Jorge's side never looked back once Nélson Oliveira turned in André Martins's cross on six minutes.

The star of Portugal's run to the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final struck again just before the half-hour, on this occasion from a Rúben Ferreira delivery, by which time both Rui Fonte and Sana had grabbed goals. After the break Abel Issa Camará came off the bench to score on his UEFA competition debut with a well-placed shot beyond Victor Dîmov.

On Monday, Moldova go to Poland and Portugal visit Albania hoping to close the gap on Russia ahead of their home rematch on 1 June.