portugal: FIFA WC: Cristiano Ronaldo stars as Portugal defeat Ghana 3-2 in thrilling match

A resilient Portugal put on a fine display against Ghana to register a 3-2 win in their thrilling opening match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Stadium 974.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed some great chances in the early stages of the match in the first half but finally scored from the penalty spot to put Portugal in front.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in five different World Cups in 65 minutes of play. After long protests from the Ghanaian players and Ronaldo the ball went past the goalkeeper when the box was finally cleared. Ronaldo won the penalty and made no mistake to score for his team.

However, Portugal’s joy was short lived as Andre Ayew pulled one back for Ghana in the 73rd minute of the match, but Portugal responded quickly with quick goals from João Félix (78) and substitute Rafael Leão (80). Portugal made a triple substitution and one of the players they brought on was Ronaldo. The cross came in from the left and Perera looked uncomfortable as Usman Bukhari came on to convert it.

Inaki Williams stunned Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa with a steal in the area in the 10th minute of stoppage time, giving Ghana a great chance to tie the score. However, the forward lost his footing at a crucial moment, allowing Ronaldo and his teammates to hold on for victory.

Earlier in the first half, Ghana’s defense managed to hold down Portugal’s attacks and ensure that there were no goals in the first half.

In the fifth minute, Portugal’s Otavio Edmilson da Silva Monteiro fired a right footed shot from outside the box to the left of the corner. In the very next minute, Ruben Neves’s right footed shot from outside the box was blocked.

In the 10th minute, assisted by Otavio, Cristiano Ronaldo fired a right footed shot from the center of the box which was saved in the center of the goal.

Three minutes later, a cross after a corner from Rafael Guerrero helped Ronaldo’s header miss from the right side of the six-yard box.

Joao Felix also had an attempt but his left footed shot from the center of the box went over the top. Another effort was saved by the Ghanaian when Otavio’s right footed shot from outside the box was blocked.

In the 42nd minute, Rafael Guerrero’s assist to Cristiano Ronaldo was blocked on the left side of the box. Ghana’s defense remained strong despite several attempts.

Portugal enjoyed 70 percent possession, compared to Ghana, which only had 30. Portugal had two shots on target while Ghana had none.

Originally published at Pen 18