Cristiano Ronaldo finally made his mark at the World Cup, but it came too late to spare Portugal an early exit from Brazil.
The world player of the year broke his scoring drought at the tournament with an 80th-minute winner in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Ghana on Thursday.
The result left Portugal level on four points with the US in Group G, but with an inferior goal difference to the second-placed side after their 1-0 loss to Germany in Recife. Ghana were also eliminated, finishing bottom of the group.
Photo: AFP
“We knew we had to score three goals and were depending on the result of the Germany game and we couldn’t do that,” Ronaldo said after his most lively performance of the tournament. “We deserved more, but that’s football. We are leaving with our heads held high.”
Ronaldo barely celebrated after slamming home his goal with his left foot, giving Portugal their first win after a 4-0 loss to Germany and 2-2 draw with the US.
By that time, Portugal still needed a three-goal swing to move above the US, and even though Ronaldo was presented with two more great chances in injury time at Estadio Nacional, his team were always going to fall short.
Ghana captain Asamaoh Gyan’s 57th-minute header canceled out an own goal scored by teammate John Boye in the 31st, and at that stage it was the African side who was closer to qualifying.
A 2-1 victory would have put Ghana through, but Majeed Waris’ headed chance that he planted wide of the post in the 60th minute was the only genuine opening they created.
The result brought to an end a typically eventful few weeks in Brazil for Ghana, who were part of thrilling games against the US and Germany before their campaign ended in turmoil on and off the pitch.
Their players took to the field in the Brazilian capital amid a dispute with the country’s soccer federation over reportedly unpaid World Cup bonuses. Adding to the chaos, two of the team’s star players — Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng — were removed from the squad hours before Thursday’s kickoff for disciplinary reasons.
“I don’t think it had an impact on the game,” said Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, who confirmed that his players received appearance payments before kickoff.
Ghana delivered their most subdued display of the tournament, ensuring Ronaldo was given plenty of time and space to wreak havoc.
If his finishing had been of the standard he delivers for Real Madrid, Portugal might have extended their stay in Brazil.
Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick by the time he finally scored.
An over-hit cross early on flew over Dauda and slammed against the bar, before Ronaldo squandered a gilt-edged chance, heading straight at the keeper from 6m out.
After having two stinging shots saved, he was bailed out by Boye, who sliced Miguel Veloso’s cross into the top corner of his own net to give Portugal a halftime lead.
Gyan could hardly miss with a header after Kwadwo Asamaoh’s delicious cross with the outside of his left foot, making it 1-1. With Germany having just taken the lead in Recife, the Ghana contingent inside the stadium sensed an opportunity.
However, Ronaldo had the final say, making no mistake from 8m out after Dauda had parried the ball high into the air.
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