Cristiano Ronaldo made his return from injury in Portugal’s final warm-up match before the 2014 World Cup and helped his nation to a resounding 5-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in New Jersey.

Portugal had struggled without Ronaldo in the previous warm-up matches as the Real Madrid ace recovered from an hamstring injury and his presence for 65 minutes against the Irish was much felt. Raul Meireles also returned from injury to start for Portugal.

Hugo Almeida ended his eight match barren streak by opening the scoring for Portugal with a second minute header before Ronaldo set up Fabio Coentrao whose cross was deflected in by Richard Keogh midway through the first half.

Ronaldo had hit the woodwork from a free-kick before the second goal and was soon denied a goal in the closing minutes of the first half, with Almeida scoring his second to give Potugal a 3-0 lead going into half time as he pounced on the rebound off a Ronaldo header.

The Irish pulled one back early in the second half but further goals from Veirinha and Coentrao sealed a comprehensive win for the Portuguese who face Germany, the United States and Ghana in Group G of the World Cup.