Cristiano Ronaldo made his final bow in the 2014 World Cup by scoring the winning goal against Ghana.
Portugal were given the lead on 31 minutes when John Boyes sliced the ball into his own net from a Miguel Veloso cross.
Ghana did equalise just before the hour mark when Asomah Gyan headed in a Kwadwo Asamoah cross for his second goal of the tournament.
However, they were unable to build on the equaliser and Cristiano Ronaldo had the final say as he found the net with 10 minutes left.
Portugal knew the task to qualify would be difficult given their vastly inferior goal difference compared to USA.
While Ghana came into the game on the back of Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari being sent home after Boateng had bad mouthed coach Appiah and Muntari had assaulted a Ghanian official.
Ronaldo may be wondering what might have been if he had took all of his chances in this game. First he was denied by the crossbar following cross-shot from the left.
Then he had header denied by the Ghanian goalkeeper Fatau Dauda, finally he had another effort denied by Dauda just after giving Portugal the lead for the second time.
Ghana also had their chances to win the game, like Ronaldo, Gyan was guilty of missing a few vital opportunties.
He was denied by Beto on 20 minutes after being played through with a long ball. He then sliced a shot wide just after half time. Finally, just after equalising, he headed wide from just a few yards out.
Ghana will now prepare themselves for the Qualification campaign for the 2015 African Cup of Nations, where they will play Guinea and Togo.
While Portugal will start looking forward to the Euro 2016 qualifiers, where they will meet Denmark, Serbia, Armenia and Albania