[attach id=347483 size="medium"]Paulo Bento... disappointed.[/attach]

Portugal coach Paulo Bento remains frustrated by his team’s opening game implosion against Germany that ultimately cost his side a place in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

The Portuguese suffered a 5-1 defeat to Germany and despite a 2-2 draw against the United States and a 2-1 win over Ghana on Thursday, Bento’s team crashed out of the tournament.

Portugal finished third, level on four points with second-place USA but with an inferior goal difference.

“Our opening game punished us a lot,” Bento said.

“That left us a little dented but that also had some positives. The reaction that we had from then on, against the United States and Ghana.”

Portugal needed to win a play-off tie against Sweden to reach the tournament in Brazil.

Yet, expectations were high with Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, as their team’s captain.

It was Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team-mate Pepe, however, who cost his team dearly with a moment of madness against Germany.

The central defender head-butted Thomas Mueller and was sent off to set a negative tone against the Germans and leave Portugal with just 10 men before half-time.

Portugal then lost another Real Madrid player, Fabio Coentrao, for the rest of the World Cup when he had to leave the pitch in the second half with a muscle injury.

“Of course, the balance of our World Cup is negative,” Bento said.

“We didn’t achieve our first aim which was to progress to the second round of the competition. We have what we deserve.

“The two teams that have gone through have done so on merit.”