Synopsis: Portugal vs Ghana- Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups as Portugal defeated Ghana in a five-goal thriller to win Group H.
Portugal vs Ghana final score, result: Ronaldo creates more history as Portugal begins their World Cup campaign with a victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups as Portugal defeated Ghana in a five-goal thriller to win Group H.
Portugal dominated control of the game from the start, and nearly turned their early possession dominance into a tangible reward, with Ronaldo being denied by Lawrence Ati-Zigi before hitting wide at the far post moments later.
The ball was in the net for Ghana just past the half-hour mark, thanks to a typically assured Ronaldo finish, but the Portugal captain was assessed to have fouled Alexander Djiku as he twisted on the ball, and the goal was called out.
Portugal toiled on into the second half, but they were presented with a wonderful opportunity when Ronaldo was felled by Mohammed Salisu and stepped up to score his 118th international goal from the penalty spot.
Ghana reacted forcefully. Kudus pricked Diogo Costa’s hands before breaking down the left and hitting a low cross that bounced off Danilo Pereira and fell nicely for Andre Ayew to turn in from close range.
It was now Portugal’s opportunity to respond, and they did so by scoring twice in three minutes to win the game. Bruno Fernandes set up both goals, sneaking passes through the Ghana defence for comfortable finishes from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao, the latter’s first international goal.
Ghana had renewed hope when Osman Bukari headed them back into the game in the 89th minute — and then mocked Ronaldo with his celebration — before almost snatching an unlikely draw right at the end, as Inaki Williams cleverly caught out Costa, only to slip at the crucial moment as he tried to nip in ahead of the goalkeeper.
For Ronaldo, the result means he can now focus on winning one of the few trophies that have escaped him at what will almost certainly be his final World Cup.
Portugal vs Ghana live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Portugal | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ghana | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Goals:
POR — Ronaldo (65 mins, penalty)
GHA — Andre Ayew (73 mins)
POR — Joao Felix (78 mins)
POR — Rafael Leao (80 mins)
GHA — Osman Bukari (89 mins)
Highlights from the 2022 World Cup match between Portugal vs Ghana.
FULLTIME: It’s all done, as Portugal has just held on to win the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, and Joao Felix and Rafael Leao appeared to have put the game out of reach after Anre Ayew’s equaliser, but the European side had to endure a tense finale to take the three points.
90+10 mins: What on earth is going on? Diogo Costa fails to notice the lurking Inaki Williams behind him, and the Ghana striker nips in after the ball is left on the floor, but slips at the crucial moment, allowing Portugal to scramble it away!
(USA only)
90+8 mins: Diogo Costa’s heart is in his mouth as he scrambles across his goal after Osman Bukari tries his luck from the left side. To the relief of Portugal’s goalkeeper, the ball is just wide.
90+4 mins: Portugal is attempting to run down the clock here, and timewasting is becoming an issue, but the referee appears to be on to it. That nine minutes could be increased much more.
90+1 mins: Inaki Williams has been given nine minutes of extra time for retaliating after being fouled by Danilo Pereira. Don’t leave the house!
GOAL! 89 mins: Hello! Ghana have equalised, thanks to Baba Rahman’s perseverance down the left and his cross looping up for Osman Bukari to head in at the far post!
(USA only)
88 mins: Ronaldo and Joao Felix, two of Portugal’s three goal scorers, are replaced for the final stages.
83 mins: Ronaldo escapes once more, bursting ahead of the defence only to be stopped by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, prompting the offside flag to be raised.
GOAL! 80 mins: That must be it now! Bruno Fernandes takes the ball just inside his own half and perfectly times his pass, sliding a perfectly weighted pass through to Rafael Leao, who finishes for his first international goal.
GOAL! 78 mins: Portugal has regained the lead! Bruno Fernandes sees a breach in the Ghana defence and slips a pass through for Joao Felix on the right, and the Atletico Madrid forward finishes well over the advancing Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
GOAL! 73 mins: Ghana, on the other hand, has reached parity! And it’s Mohammed Kudus who gets down the left and pulls back a cross that nicks off Danilo Pereira and falls perfectly for Andrew Ayew to slot home from close range.
72 mins: If Ghana is to re-enter the game, Mohammed Kudus is the man most likely to provide it, stinging Diogo Costa’s palms with a fierce drive from range.
68 mins: Another record added to the collection!
GOAL! 65 mins: Ronaldo makes no mistake, smashing international goal number 118 past Lawrence Ati-Zigi! The goalie dives to his right, but the kick is too perfectly struck and ends up in the corner.
PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! 62 mins: Ronaldo is brought down by Mohammed Salisu’s challenge, and the referee calls a foul!
58 mins: Alidu Seidu is furious as he enters the book for a late challenge on Joao Felix. As tempers rise, he’s being carried away by Daniel Amartey, and he’s probably lucky not to get a second yellow for his conduct in the aftermath.
57 mins: The first substitution of the evening comes as Otavio is replaced by William Carvalho, who is playing in his third World Cup.
55 mins: And now there’s Mohammed Kudus, moving forward from midfield and unleashing a low left-footed strike from 20 metres away. Diogo Costa, diving to his left, gets it covered, but it’s Ghana’s best moment thus far.
53 mins: Ghana has undoubtedly improved as an attacking force since the beginning, with Mohammed Kudus being pushed forward to good effect.
49 mins: Another yellow card is issued to a Ghanaian player, this time their captain. Otavio’s deft turn on halfway separates him from Andre Ayew, who responds with a trip that results in a booking.
48 mins: So far, Portugal has shown a lack of energy and tempo; both will need to be significantly increased if they are to begin making life difficult for Ghana.
46 mins: The second half is kicked off by Andre Ayew. His Ghanaian team has been relatively comfortable so far, but Portugal will be hoping to ask a few more questions in the final 45 minutes.
HALFTIME: Nearly but not quite for Portugal, who got the best of the first half but fell short. It could have been a different tale if Ronaldo had converted either of his early chances, while the free agent had the ball in the net only to be penalised for a foul. In the second period, the tempo must be increased.
45 mins: Mohammed Kudus receives the first yellow card of the evening for a high challenge on Joao Cancelo. We’ll only have two minutes of extra time.
44 mins: In the first 45 minutes, Portugal’s fullbacks have provided their strongest attacking danger, with Joao Cancelo whipping in a promising low cross that is fractionally behind all of his attacking players. The Portuguese retake possession, but Otavio puts the ball in the incorrect place, sending it high over the crossbar.
42 mins: Portugal has huffed and puffed throughout the first half, and Ronaldo embodies their anguish. He blocks a shot before coming in the path of Raphael Guerreiro’s header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross.
38 mins: Ghana’s first spell of pressure comes when they win two corners in quick succession, but the delivery isn’t great on either occasion, and any hope of regaining control is dashed by the referee’s whistle.
35 mins: Portugal is continuing to press, despite Ghana looking relatively comfortable at the back. This latest effort is typical of their attacking style, with Otavio attempting an optimistic effort that Lawrence Ati-Zigi is able to support.
31 mins: Ronaldo has put the ball in the back of the net! Oh, but the whistle blows soon quickly, as a push is rewarded for his challenge on Alexander Djiku, which provided him with the opportunity to fire. It did appear to be a shove, albeit it was a close call. However, the finish is as clinical as you’d anticipate.
28 mins: Joao Felix has a good chance, but his finish is erratic as he leans back and the ball sails harmlessly wide. Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City had combined well down the right to create the opening.
25 mins: Left-back Raphael Guerreiro appears to be a crucial outlet for Portugal tonight. So far, 60% of their attacks have come from that flank, 20% from the middle, and 20% from the right.
21 mins: The pattern of play has been established, with Portugal dominating both the ball and the territory. They’ve had 67% of the ball and four shots on goal in the first quarter, while Ghana has yet to score.
17 mins: There’s no escaping Ronaldo is there?
(UK Only)
13 mins: Another chance, and Ronaldo fails to capitalise. Portugal takes a quick corner and Ghana is caught off guard, Raphael Guerreiro finding space down the left to measure a ball towards the far post… where Ronaldo rises highest only to nod wide!
8 mins: Portugal has dominated possession in the first few minutes, throwing the ball around at will and looking to stretch Ghana’s defense. There have been no clear chances as of yet, but they have had nearly 70% of the ball.
5 mins: As Ghana fails to fully clear a corner, the ball falls for Otavio just outside the area, but the Porto midfielder snatches at the shot and it drifts well wide.
2 mins: Ronaldo’s first contribution would have been a foul, but that is exactly what happens, with the Portugal captain giving a free-kick for a trip near halfway.
KICKOFF: Ronaldo sets the tone, and we’re off to a fast start in this Group H opener.
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