Ghana have for the first time in their World Cup history failed to reach the second round following 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the final group match.

The Black Stars, quarter-finalist four years ago finished bottom in Group G with one point following defeat to the United States and a draw with Germany.

Asamoah Gyan’s 57th-minute header had cancelled out John Boye’s first-half own-goal before Cristiano Ronaldo scored with ten minutes remaining in Brasilia.

Despite the win, Germany and the U.S progress from the group to the second round as Portugal failed to secure another three goals without reply to pip the Americans to second place in Group G.

Ghana's only consolation from this campaign is Gyan's new milestone as Africa's leading scorer at the World Cup.

The Black Stars captain edged legend Roger Mila to the record. Gyan is now on six goals, thus one ahead of the Cameroonian.

It was a game which did not lack many scoring chances with Ronaldo striking a cross over Fatau Dauda but came back off the crossbar.

A few minutes later the Portugal captain saw his freekick parried behind by the Ghana goalkeeper. His next attempt was to head straight at Dauda from point-blank range.

Ghana turned the heat on Portugal with Gyan denied by the legs of Portugal keeper Beto after holding off Bruno Alves.

Portugal's opener came when Ruben Amorim's cross was sliced by John Boye into his own net for the opener in the 31st minute. Portugal carried a slender lead in at the break.

That advantage lasted just 12 minutes into the second half. Kwadwo Asamoah sent in a cross with the outside of his boot and it was headed home at the back post by Gyan.

Both sides at one-apiece held on until, Fatau flapped at catching the ball in the air as it straight into the path of Ronaldo, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.