The World Cup final 16 is settled, Luis Suarez won’t be part of it and Ghana has suspended two of its own players as the circus rolls on in Brazil.
Germany beat the USA 1-0, a result that takes both sides through and sent Ghana and Portugal crashing out.
Korea Republic are also finished after a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Belgium in Sao Paulo.
Algeria secured a 1-1 draw with Russia that sent them into the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time.
Cristiano Ronaldo wasted a succession of glorious chances as Portugal bowed out of the World Cup despite beating Ghana 2-1 in Brasilia.
Portugal knew only a win combined with a defeat for Germany or the United States in the other Group G fixture, plus a significant swing in goal difference, would take them through to the last 16.
Although Ronaldo netted his first goal of the tournament, the winner, it was his numerous misses that cost Portugal the sizeable victory they needed to make up for the 4-0 mauling they suffered by Germany in their first game.
Off the field, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) says it will appeal against a four-month global ban imposed against star striker Luis Suarez for biting an Italian opponent at the World Cup.
AUF president Wilmar Valdez called the FIFA punishment against Suarez, comprising a nine-match international ban, “totally exaggerated”.
He said the appeal would be lodged today.
Uruguayan skipper Diego Lugano posted a message to social media saying the squad were aghast at the punishment but felt powerless to do anything.
“Indignant. Powerless. I think this is what we all feel,” said Lugano, but “those who are in charge are in charge.
“A hug to Luis, who as always will bounce back.
“We will carry on with humility, solidarity, commitment, recognising our mistakes and with our heads always held high,” said Lugano, who was sat on the bench for the match as he was injured.
FIFA banned Suarez after his bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Tuesday’s final group match, the suspension ending the controversial forward’s involvement at the World Cup.
It is the third time the 27-year-old South American star had been banned for biting an opponent after a previous case while at Ajax in 2010 and last year playing for Liverpool when he bit the arm of Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
Ghana stars Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were indefinitely suspended from their national team for disciplinary reasons, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said Thursday.
AC Milan midfielder Muntari, 29, is accused of attacking a member of the management team Moses Armah, while Schalke 04 midfielder Boateng, 27, is said to have verbally abused national team coach Kwesi Appiah, the GFA said on its website.
Both have had their World Cup accreditation withdrawn.
Not that it mattered: Germany’s win over the USA knocked Ghana out altogether.
THE DRAW FOR THE WORLD CUP ROUND OF 16
Sunday, June 29
0130 – Brazil v Chile, Belo Horizonte
0530 – Colombia v Uruguay, Rio de Janiero
Monday June 30
0130 – Netherlands v Mexico, Fortaleza
0530 – Costa Rica v Greece, Recife
Tuesday, July 1
0130 – France v Nigeria, Brasilia
0530 – Germany v Algeria, Porto Alegre
Wednesday July 2
0130 – Argentina v Switzerland, Sao Paulo
0530 – Belgium v USA, Salvador
