BRASILIA, Brazil — Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal of the World Cup earned Portugal a 2-1 win over Ghana but couldn't prevent his team being eliminated from the tournament along with the Africans on Thursday.
Portugal finished level on four points with second-place United States in Group G but with an inferior goal difference. Germany topped the group.
Ronaldo slammed in the winner with his left foot in the 80th minute to break his drought in Brazil and give Portugal its first win.
Ghana captain Asamaoh Gyan's 57th-minute header canceled out an own goal scored by John Boye in the 31st.
Ronaldo earns Portugal 2-1 win vs Ghana, both out
Ghana's Asamoah Gyan celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Ghana at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)