Cristiano Ronaldo fires Ghana 2014 WC warning

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has fired a warning to 2014 World Cup opponents Ghana that they have set their sights on the knockout stages of the competition with Germany the overwhelming favourites to top of the ‘Group of Death’.

With the in-form Germans tipped as the favourites to top the group, it leaves Ghana, Portugal and United States to fight for Group G’s automatic place in the knock-out phase of the tournament in Brazil.

The Real Madrid star, who captains his country, scored all four goals as Portugal booked their spot at Brazil 2014 with a 4-2 play-off success over Sweden last month.

Paulo Bento’s men were rewarded for their progress by being handed a tough group alongside European rivals Germany, as well as Ghana and the USA.

And while Ronaldo admitted that being unseeded in the draw had given Portugal a tough pool, he feels they can overcome Ghana and the USA to reach at least the last 16.

“We are going to have a very difficult group,” the 28-year-old said. “The first game will be against Germany, a fantastic team, and we try to pass the group (stage).

“After we will take it game by game, but I think the priority of the national team is to pass the group, and we will see what will happen after.”

The former Manchester United forward was also keen to praise the team effort involved in qualifying for the World Cup, rather than taking praise for his outstanding individual displays.

“Well, I did my job,” he added. “We had a very difficult qualification.

“We deserved to be in the World Cup in Brazil, because we played better in the two (play-off) games.”