Fifa world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo’s late strike in the 2-1 win over Ghana was not enough for Portugal as USA progressed to the second round from Group G despite going down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Germany on Thursday. The Portuguese paid heavy toll for its 4-0 thrashing to Germany in their first match.
Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in Brasilia to take their points tally to four from the stipulated three group matches but USA, who had also garnered the same points, went through by virtue of their superior goal difference. USA’s goal difference stood at zero while Portugal had -3 by the final round of games in Group G. Hence, Ronaldo and Co had to take the exit door as well as Ghana, who played well but lacked the cutting edge.
The enterprising affair saw Ronaldo cursing his luck in the sixth minute when his attempted cross swerved reversely and kissed the Ghanaian crosspiece. Ronaldo was visibly frustrated and shook his head in dismay.
The 29-year old Real Madrid superstar was denied again in the 20th minute by the Ghanaian goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda. The overlapping right-back Joao Pereira danced down his flank and whipped in a neat cross for Ronaldo whose powerful header from point-blank range pulled out the best from Dauda, who managed to fist it away with a quick reflex save.
The Black Stars, missing Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng who were suspended by the Ghana Football Association due to disciplinary reasons after their second group game against Germany, waited for their chances before penetrating the Portugal defence - marshaled by Bruno Alves - in the 21st minute. Asamoah Gyan made his way past Alves and tried to slice his effort between the legs of Portuguese goalie Beto. Beto somehow managed to kick it out.
The balance of the game hurled down in Portugal’s favour in the 30th minute with the own goal of Ghanaian defender John Boye. Portuguese midfielder Miguel Veloso saw the left flank open and initiated a 20-yard run before curving in a cross for the waiting Ronaldo but Boye, who attempted a backward aerial clearance, sent the ball into the net courtesy the side post.
Charged up by the unexpected present, Portugal heaped more pressure on their opponents and in the 35th minute, Ronaldo side-footed a ball towards the path of midfielder Ruben Amorim who rifled a grounder past the outside netting.
Ghana gradually grew in confidence and in the 40th minute Christian Atsu, after playing a neat one-two with Gyan, came dangerously close but his curling effort missed the far post.
The confidence was clearly evident following the resumption as Ghana pressed forward in search of the equaliser and duly grabbed it. It was an all-Asamoah affair as midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah shrugged off the challenge in the right flank and cut a low cross to Gyan whose diving header left Beto helpless.
But at the end of the road, lady-luck finally smiled on Portugal when Ronaldo blasted the winner in the 80th minute. Nani charged down the left flank and whipped in a curling cross right at the top of the six-yard box. Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah headed the ball as it went straight up in the air but Dauda made the mistake of not grabbing it. Dauda punched the ball down to an unmarked Ronaldo and the talismanic forward made no mistake rifling the ball to the back of the net. L