Portugal were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup despite defeating Ghana 2-1 at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.
Paulo Bento’s side had to win by a big margin against their African opponents and needed the USA to lose to Germany in the other Group G match.
Although the Americans suffered a 1-0 defeat in Recife, it was not enough for Portugal to finish second and progress to the last 16.
The Seleccao came third in the group level on four points with the USA, but with an inferior goal difference.
A good attacking move from Portugal saw Miguel Veloso receive the ball on the left flank, and his cross was inadvertently put into his own net by John Boye while trying to clear the danger.
Despite Portugal’s early pressure in the second half, Ghana equalised on 57 minutes when Asamoah Gyan headed home Kwadwo Asamoah’s cross from close range.
However, Portugal were determined to get the win they needed to keep their slim hopes alive and the Euro 2004 finalists had the last laugh as Ronaldo scored his side’s second and winning goal with 10 minutes of normal time left to play, smashing the ball in from close range.
USA falls to Germany, 1-0, but advances
There was no handshake agreement to play to a draw, as Germany came out gunning from the opening minute.
Things looked comfortable heading into halftime. And then that suddenly became very, very nervous.
Germany began the second half similar to the first, attacking the United States down the flanks and looking to cross into the middle.
Miroslav Klose came on for Germany, and made an immediate impact, finding space in the U.S. box, before Thomas Muller scored in the 55th minute for Germany, after Tim Howard's diving save sent the ball right to him.
Algeria progress 32 years after the 'Disgrace in Gijon'
There can never be justice for the shameful way Algeria were eliminated from the 1982 World Cup.
Fully 32 years since wins over Germany and Chile were rendered meaningless by the famous ‘Disgrace in Gijón’, when Austria and Germany played out a “rigged” 1-0 win to eliminate them, Algeria are in the last 16 of the World Cup.
It is the first time they have reached this stage and, should they continue to play with the attacking verve that has already seen them score six goals in the tournament.
Another first is the elimination of Fabio Capello’s Russia from a World Cup without having registered a single win.
The decisive moment here was controversial, with Islam Slimani heading Algeria’s 60th-minute equaliser into an empty net after a laser pen had been shone at the Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Divock Origi inspires Belgium to maintain perfect record
For the third successive match, Liverpool target Divock Orig, 19, came off the bench to kick-start his country.
It was from Origi’s powerful shot, which was spilt by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, that Jan Vertonghen fired home the rebound for Belgium to take maximum points from Group H.
South Korea – after a miserable campaign – are out with coach Hong Myungbo set to resign blaming his “shortcomings”. But it was the players who fell short.
It was another win for Belgium claimed in the final 20 minutes which could mean many things: a sign of the strength of their bench or an indicator that coach Marc Wilmots is struggling to find his best XI.
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| Graphic courtesy of https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/football/world-cup/schedule/ |
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