TheCable

Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 and finished level on four points with the United States in Group G, but it was the Americans who advanced to the last 16 courtesy of a better goal difference despite their 1-0 loss to group winners Germany in Recife.

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 far from enough to push them into the second round, as both sides exited the World Cup.

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 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 some 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 indiscipline hours before Thursday’s kick-off.