Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that Portugal can exit the World Cup with their "heads held high" after being eliminated from Group G this evening.

Ronaldo fired his nation to a 2-1 victory over Ghana but it was not enough to pip USA to a last-16 place as Jurgen Klinsmann's side finished runners-up on goal difference.

"We created many opportunities but we could not finish them," he told reporters at full time.

"We knew we had to score three goals and were depending on the result of the Germany game and we couldn't do that. We deserved more, but that's football. We are leaving with our heads held high."

The Real Madrid man bagged his solitary goal in this evening's victory, drilling home the winner with 10 minutes remaining after Asamoah Gyan had earlier cancelled out John Boye's first-half own goal.