An own goal by John Boye and a late strike by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a 2-1 win over incident-hit Ghana on Thursday, but it was not enough to make the second round as both sides exited the World Cup.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and Joao Pereira leave the pitch after the Group G World Cup match between Portugal and Ghana at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday. Ronaldo's first goal of the World Cup earned Portugal a 2-1 win over Ghana but couldn't prevent his team being eliminated from the tournament along with the Africans. (AP Photo)
Portugal finished level on four points with the United States in Group G but the Americans advanced to the last 16 courtesy of a better goal difference despite their 1-0 loss to group winners Germany in Recife.
Boye's poor attempt at a first half clearance summed up a disappointing match between two teams who needed big victories in the Brazilian capital to have a chance of advancing.
The defender swiped at a 31st minute cross from Portuguese fullback Miguel Veloso which hit his knee and then the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net.
The goal came after a Ghana break ended when Bahrain official Nawaf Shukralla accidentally blocked an attempted pass, handing possession to the Portuguese who went up field and scored.
The Ghanaians improved after the break and striker Asamoah Gyan headed them level at the back post after a brilliant cross with the outside of his foot by Kwadwo Asamoah in the 57th minute.
Gyan then turned provider, putting in another ball from the left for an unmarked Abdul Majeed Waris moments later but the striker could only steer his header wide from six yards out.
The wasted effort proved costly as Portugal skipper and World Player-of-the-Year Ronaldo smashed his side ahead in the 80th minute after Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda flapped at a high ball, sending it straight to the Real Madrid forward.
Ronaldo should have had another minutes later but Dauda was on hand to parry the forward's side footed effort from close range, with the keeper also blocking an effort from the skipper in the dying stages.
The World Cup exit completed a miserable two days for the Africans who were embroiled in a pay row and kicked out midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari for ill-discipline hours before Thursday's kick-off.
Highlights from the match
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