Cristiano Ronaldo led the way as Portugal hit four goals in the last 15 minutes to defeat Estonia 4-0 in their World Cup Group Three qualifier in Leiria, Portugal on Wednesday.

The Manchester United winger opened the scoring with a header in the 75th minute following a cross from the right by playmaker Deco.

With resistance from a super-defensive Estonia finally cracked, Ronaldo helped the home side go 2-0 up in the 84th minute when he fed substitute Helder Postiga who easily beat Mart Poom, playing his 100th game in goal for Estonia.

Striker Pedro Pauleta, without a goal in the recent European Championship, made it 3-0 in the 87th minute before Postiga headed his second goal of the match in injury time from a right-wing centre by Ronaldo.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said his side were stymied until Ronaldo's goal.

"The ball hit one (player), it hit another and wouldn't go in," Scolari told reporters.

"We knew that until we got our first goal, the opposing team was going to be after us. If we'd scored early it would have been different, after the first goal everything changed.

"I'm really satisfied with one more win but we still have 10 more games. At least we've started the (qualifying) phase well."

Portugal have taken six points from their first two qualifiers following the 2-0 victory in Latvia last Saturday.

Estonia coach Arno Pijpers said his team tried to stop Portugal creating chances.

"In the first part we did that very well, and we were able to do it until Portugal scored. Portugal deserved to win but we had three chances to score," he said.

Striker Andres Oper went closest to a goal for Estonia when he hit the post.