In the club's first ever European clash, Pompey delivered the goods in spectacular style as they marched to a victory that sets them up nicely for qualification for the group phase of the competition.
At a rocking Fratton Park, Pompey took the upper hand early on to put the visitors under pressure only for goalkeeper Nilson to make two exceptional saves to deny Defoe.
But he was powerless to stop a fabulous Diarra strike as the French midfielder drove into the box to play a neat one-two with Defoe and drill a half-volled inside the near post to send Fratton Park wild.
>>> Replay the UEFA Cup action with our text commentary service. Click here.Vitoria wasted a golden opportunity to equalise before the break as Fajardo blazed a penalty over the crossbar after Sol Campbell had been adjudged to have wrestled Roberto to the ground.
But Pompey returned the favour early in the second half as Defoe saw his spot-kick pushed away by Nilson after the striker was tripped in the box.
But the England man had the final say for the Blues as he crashed home a fine volley after a pinpoint cross from the impressive Nadir Belhadj to seal the 2-0 win.
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