Portugal eliminated despite victory
Portugal are eliminated by goal average in 2014 FIFA World Cup after beating Ghana while the USA and Germany go through following a USA defeat.
ANKARA
Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in Thursday's 2014 FIFA World Cup Group G match but both were eliminated from the tournament on goal difference. The USA followed Germany through to the next stage, despite losing 1-0 to the former champions.
Portugal started the match at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia on the front foot and pressurized Ghana's defense, with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the woodwork within five minutes.
Ghana’s goalkeeper made some good saves but it was an own goal from Ghanaian John Boye that opened the scoring for Portugal after 31 minutes when the defender turned in Portuguese midfielder Miguel Veloso's low cross.
The Africans levelled in the 57th minute with Asamoah Gyan heading home but it was Ronaldo’s killer instinct that saw him pounce on a loose clearance to get Portugal’s winner in the 80th minute.
Needing another three goals to qualify for the final 16, Portugal wasted several good chances in the closing stages.
Results in Group G are as follows:
Portugal: 2 - Ghana: 1
USA: 0 - Germany: 1
Standings in the group are as follows:
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
| USA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Portugal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Ghana | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
