Portugal out despite Ronaldo winner

Portugal are out of the FIFA World Cup despite a 2-1 victory against Ghana in Brasilia.

Paulo Bento's charges finish third in Group G, behind the United States – beaten 1-0 by section winners Germany on Thursday – on goal difference. The Selecção prevailed thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's 50th international effort, a strike that came after Asamoah Gyan had drawn Ghana level following John Boye's first-half own goal.

Ronaldo took little time to shrug off the injury concerns that had blighted his tournament, hitting the bar with a speculative cross-shot from the right after just six minutes. João Pereira, from the same flank, then supplied Ronaldo with a delightful cross but the Real Madrid CF man headed straight at goalkeeper Fatau Dauda from point-blank range.

Though Gyan soon threatened to put the African team ahead, Portugal custodian Beto was out quickly to smother. Dauda could make no such intervention at the other end soon after the half-hour, Boye inadvertently slicing Miguel Veloso's low cross from the left into his own net.

Gyan spurned further chances either side of the break but made no mistake on 57 minutes, nodding Kwadwo Asamoah's splendid delivery – that came via the outside of his left foot – past Beto. Gyan turned provider moments later and teed up Majeed Waris, whose stooping header was off target.

Ronaldo's most telling contribution came with ten minutes remaining. Nani, his former Manchester United FC team-mate, crossed from the left and Jonathan Mensah ballooned his defensive header in the air, allowing Ronaldo to fire in from close range after Dauda had failed to deal with the loose ball. Though Ronaldo went close three times in the closing stages, Portugal fell short.