London, Dec.5 (ANI): Winger Cristiano Ronaldo had his wink wiped off his face as Portugal were dumped in the Group of Death ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Brazil, Portugal and Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast will battle it out for a second-phase spot with minnows North Korea.

Ronaldo, infamous for winking at the Portuguese bench following Wayne Rooney’s sending-off in the 2006 quarter-final clash, can look forward to an epic battle with Brazil star and Real Madrid team-mate Kaka.

But Ivory Coast are rated the pick of the African nations and fancy themselves to go a long way in the tournament.

With Portugal only making it via the play-offs, they look the third-favourites in the group right now.

History suggests that in Groups of Death even the seeded team can take nothing for granted. (ANI)