(CNN) -- Portugal and Ivory Coast played out a 0-0 draw as the World Cup's so-called "Group of Death" failed to come alive in Port Elizabeth. In yet another game short of goalmouth incident, Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo came closest to scoring when his long-range shot rattled off a post after 10 minutes. Ivory Coast enjoyed the majority of possession but struggled to create any clear-cut openings until substitute Didier Drogba miscued from close-range in stoppage-time. The Chelsea striker was playing with a protective cast on his arm, just 11 days after suffering a fracture in a friendly against Japan. New Zealand snatch historic first World Cup point The result gives five-time champions Brazil the chance to take control of Group G if they can overcome North Korea in Johannesburg later on Tuesday. And assuming both Ivory Coast and Portugal can beat the Asian side, the group may be decided by both teams' results against the Brazilians. One of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament featured a rare moment of true quality after 10 minutes from the world's most expensive player. Ronaldo, who hasn't scored for his country in 16 months, made space for himself with a sharp turn and curled a right-footed shot from 25 yards which had goalkeeper Boubacar Barry well-beaten but cannoned back off the post. In truth it was the only noteworthy moment of an otherwise dull first half which featured plenty of probing from both sides but very little goalmouth incident. Ronaldo was shown a yellow card after 20 minutes when he failed to win a free kick and was involved in a spat with Ivory Coast defender Guy Demel, who was also booked. The Africans saw plenty of the ball but did not create their first real opening until a minute after half-time when the lively Gervinho raced down the left and fired a powerful shot, which Eduardo tipped around the post. With the game starting to open up, Ivory Coast winger Salomon Kalou found space in the area but fired his shot straight at Eduardo before Liedson's header from Deco's cross at the other end was easily held by Barry. Drogba entered the fray after 65 minutes but saw little of the ball until the 92nd minute when Abdelkader Keita slid him clear, only for the striker to screw his shot wastefully across the face of goal. Source: CNN