Doha, 25 November 2022 (TDI): The Black Stars of Ghana faced off against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side Portugal on Thursday at Stadium 974, in Doha. The match witnessed Portugal beating Ghana by 3-2 in a thriller 90-minute-long nerve-wracking FIFA match.
It was an opening match of Group H which took place on the 5th day of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Portugal and Ghana’s only previous encounter was in the group stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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FIFA 2022 marks the sixth consecutive appearance of the Portugal team in the World Cup, having participated in each edition since 2002. Additionally, the team has won just three games in the last three FIFA World Cups.
As for Ghana, the team has qualified for four FIFA World Cup tournaments; 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. In 2006 they were the only African side to advance to the Second Round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Highlights
In the first half, Portugal got the ball rolling. Cristiano Ronaldo got a great pass deep in the box, but his shot was thwarted by the Ghanaian keeper. Despite great efforts by both teams, the first half went by without either team making any goals.
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The second half provided Ghana a chance to score, but the forward lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing Ronaldo and his teammates to cling on for the victory.
Ronaldo drilled home a penalty in the 65th minute of the Group H encounter to set his side on their way and while Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana, Portugal turned on the afterburners with two quick-fire goals to effectively seal the deal.
Joao Felix produced a delicate finish to give Portugal the lead and Rafael Leao added a third to hand Portugal their first win in the opening match of the World Cup.
Ronaldo makes it 5 on day 5
Cristiano Ronaldo, the absolute GOAT (greatest of all time) football player made history as he became the first player to score in 5 World Cups on Day 5 of the World Cup in Qatar.
In this vein, the 37-year-old player stated, “The world record, the only player to score in five World Cups, makes me very proud.”
It is to be noted that Ronaldo has now scored in every World Cup since his first in 2006. Additionally, he has also scored a world record 118 goals in international games for Portugal.