Carlos Queiroz's team, who have won only one of their first four qualifiers, were thwarted by Albania keeper Arian Beqaj who pulled off a series of good saves.

"We didn't expect to draw but I'd like to say that, even without producing a fantastic exhibition of football, I don't know what else we could do to win," coach Queiroz told reporters.

"The players dominated the match and did everything to win. Make no mistake, we will get the points we need to qualify." 

The visitors went down to 10 men on the stroke of halftime when substitute Admir Teli was sent off following two bookable offences.

Portugal piled on the pressure in the second period but Beqaj proved unbeatable.