Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to narrowly beat Ghana in the their first game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar on Thursday evening.
Ghana were the second best team in the first 45 minutes of the match as the Portuguese dominated the Flamboyant European side with over 70 percent of possession.
Portugal came through on goal when Cristiano Ronaldo was put on goal but Ghana goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi came out to prevent the Super star from hitting the back of the net.
Ronaldo thought he had scored the first goal of the match when he found the back of the net for his team only for the referee to whistle for an earlier foul.
The first half ended goalless.
Portugal continued from where they left off in the first half and got a spot kick for their effort after Ronaldo went down too easily but VAR never checked.
The former Real Madrid player stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net to put the Portuguese 1-0 five minutes after the hour mark.
Ghana captain Andre Ayew responded very well and got Ghana’s first goal and his third at the world cup to equalize for the Black Stars.
He was taken off few minutes after the goal alongside Mohammed Kudus and the Portuguese took advantage of it and got their second goal through Joao Felix after a catastrophic defending from Baba Rahman after Jordan had lost the ball.
Few minutes later, substitute, Rafael Leao got the third goal of the match to put the Selacao team 3-1 up.
Ghana’s substitute Osman Bukari reduced the deficit to one later on with a header after a deflected cross from Baba Rahman.
Inaki Williams almost robbed the Portuguese goalkeeper in the last minute of the match but fell at the crucial moment to spare the Portuguese blushes.
The game ended 3-2 to Portugal.
Four days from today, the Black Stars return to action with a clash against the Asian powerhouse South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The Black Stars who are making their fourth FIFA appearance will end their group stage campaign with a clash against Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
Starting lineups:
Portugal (4-1-2-1-2, right to left): 22. Costa (GK) — 20. Cancelo, 4. Dias, 13. Danilo Pereira, 5. Guerreiro — 18. Neves (Rafael Leao 77′) — 8. Fernandes, 25. Otavio (14. William Carvalho 56′) — 10. Bernardo Silva (6. Joao Palhinha 88′) — 7. Ronaldo (26. Goncalo Ramos 88′), 11. Joao Felix (17. Joao Mario 88′)
Ghana (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Ati-Zigi (GK) — 26. Seidu (2. Lamptey 66′), 23. Djiku (25. Semenyo 90+2′), 18. Amartey, 4. Salisu, 17. Rahman — 20. Kudus (11. Bukari 77′), 5. Partey, 21. Abdul Samed (8. Kyereh 90+2′), 10. A. Ayew (9. J. Ayew 77′) — 19. Williams.
