Portugal players arrived back home to a depressing welcome after a dismal World Cup, with no one even bothering to collect star player Cristiano Ronaldo from the airport. The Portuguese fared only slightly better than England, claiming four points to finish third in a group containing Germany, USA and Ghana but still being eliminated before the business end of the tournament begins in Brazil. Ronaldo also failed to live up to his billing as the best player on the planet - after struggling with injuries ahead of the tournament he returned to spend most of his games pouting petulantly at teammates before scoring his now customary single World Cup goal (in the final 2-1 victory against Ghana).
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Portugal arrived back home after a dismal showing at the 2014 World Cup
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Portuguese eliminated from group including Germany, USA and Ghana
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Cristiano Ronaldo cut a lonely figure as he hailed a public cab home
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Real Madrid star failed to inspire his side and scored a solitary goal
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Nani, Pepe and Joao Moutinho offered excuses for Portugal's exit
Germany
Germany
'We couldn't afford to make the same mistakes again,' said defender Pepe, who was sent off against @placeholder and did not enlarge on what the mistakes were.
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Moutinho also addressed the vexed issue of why @placeholder had gone to train in the United States for 10 days before the World Cup, instead of preparing in Brazil.
USA
USA
Moutinho also addressed the vexed issue of why Portugal had gone to train in the @placeholder for 10 days before the World Cup, instead of preparing in Brazil.