Portugal 2-1 Ghana: Misfiring Ronaldo heads home early

There is only so much one man can do and as much as Cristiano Ronaldo tried, he could not drag Portugal into the last 16.

He had his opportunities, but in the end the 2-1 score eliminated both teams. John Boye’s own goal for the Africans put Portugal ahead, with Asamoah Gyan and Ronaldo scoring the others.

Goal difference was Portugal’s main obstacle before the match in Brasilia. They needed to beat their opponents and hope for a Germany or USA win, with the Europeans five goals behind the Americans and eight behind group leaders Germany.

Ronaldo did his best to get the ball rolling.

The Real Madrid forward’s clever chip from a wide right position on the edge of the 18-yard box beat goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda and bounced off the crossbar and out of danger.

A piercing Ronaldo free-kick moments later went straight at Dauda, then the Ghana goalie was on hand to deny the 29-year-old again, this time keeping out a point blank header.

Ghana, despite being without Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince-Boateng after the pair were sent home, had their chances and it was a Ghanaian who opened the scoring.

Centre-back Boye sliced the ball past his own goal after half an hour when attempting to clear a Miguel Veloso cross.

The second half began at a frantic pace and no sooner had Portugal fans inside the Estadio Nacional been given a lift by news that Thomas Muller had scored for Germany in Recife, Gyan headed Ghana level.

The former Sunderland striker was the benefactor of a wonderful Kwado Asamoah ball and soon after, Majeed Waris headed wide from a Gyan cross when it seemed impossible not to hit the target.

As Ghana searched for the goal that would take them to the knockout stages - with Germany leading the United States by a goal, Ronaldo - made it 2-1.

Awful goalkeeping from Dauda saw him palm a cross straight into the path of the Ballon d’Or winner, who smashed the ball with his left foot into the goal.

Game on and Ronaldo almost made it three, but this time Dauda denied him. 

The £80million striker cut a frustrated figure, knowing that he could well have had a hat-trick to his name and quite possibly keep his World Cup hopes alive just a little longer.