Portugal 3 – 2 Ghana

Cristiano Ronaldo turned the primary man to attain in 5 World Cups as his penalty helped Portugal safe a 3-2 win over Ghana in an exciting Group H encounter.

Ronaldo, a free agent after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent within the wake of his explosive interview, hit again at his critics with yet one more piece of historical past when he transformed the opener from the spot after he was fouled by Mohammed Salisu (65).

Ghana equalised towards the run of play when Andre Ayew, their very own veteran striker, fired house from shut vary (73), however Portugal instantly responded with quickfire objectives from Joao Felix (78) and substitute Rafael Leao (80), each arrange by Bruno Fernandes.

Ronaldo, who scored his first World Cup aim as a 21-yr-previous again in 2006, revelled within the highlight following a tumultuous week and acquired a standing ovation when he was substituted within the closing phases, however Portugal needed to survive a nervy finale after Osman Bukari headed house Ghana’s second aim (89).

Ghana had a golden alternative to steal a degree within the tenth minute of stoppage time when Inaki Williams caught Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa unawares to steal possession within the field, however the ahead misplaced his footing on the essential second, permitting Ronaldo and his workforce-mates to cling on for victory.

How Ronaldo made historical past once more

Ronaldo dominated the construct-as much as the sport because the fallout from his controversial interview final week continued, and he instantly took centre stage throughout it too, albeit for the unsuitable causes as he missed two gilt-edged probabilities within the early phases.

First, a heavy first contact from Otavio’s by means of-ball allowed Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi to hurry off his line and deny him in a one-on-one, then, minutes later, he headed a Raphael Guerreiro cross inexplicably huge on the far put up.

Ronaldo did have the ball within the internet within the thirty first minute as Portugal continued to dominate, however he was adjudged to have fouled Alexander Djiku earlier than firing previous Ati-Zigi, the referee’s whistle making certain his celebrations had been quick-lived.

Ronaldo, who has emerged as a switch goal for Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal following his launch from Manchester United, continued to chop a pissed off determine within the first half, failing to capitalise when a Guerreiro header fell to him contained in the six-yard field, however the narrative shifted dramatically after the interval.

Ghana had defended resolutely up till then, however Ronaldo lastly seized his probability after he was adjudged to have been fouled by Salisu, firing an emphatic penalty past the attain of Ati-Zigi, his 118th worldwide aim sparking wild Portugal celebrations.

Ghana had been momentarily stage after Portugal defender Danilo Pereira did not intercept a lower-again from the damaging Mohammed Kudus, permitting Ayew to attain from shut vary.

But Otto Addo’s facet had been instantly pegged again once more when Felix completed coolly from Fernandes’ by means of-ball, with substitute Leao then changing from one other Fernandes move for his first worldwide aim solely three minutes after approaching.

Those objectives appeared to have taken the sport away from Ghana, with Fernando Santos utilizing the chance to take off Ronaldo for the ultimate jiffy, however an error from Joao Cancelo allowed Bukari to drag one other aim again and there was then an enormous scare on the demise when Costa was robbed by Williams.

In the top, although, Portugal held on, the victory taking them high of Group H and permitting Ronaldo to get pleasure from some respite as he continues to chase the one trophy that also eludes him.

Ghana boss: Referee value us the win

Ghana coach Oddo Atto criticised the American referee who awarded the penalty that resulted in Ronaldo’s aim, calling it a “special gift”.

VAR selected to not intervene when Ronaldo went down below the problem of the Salisu. Referee Ismail Elfath pointed straight to the spot, leaving Ronaldo to dispatch the spot kick for the opener after video know-how selected to not examine the choice.

“If somebody scores a goal, congratulations. But this was really a gift. Really a gift,” Addo stated. “What more can I say? (It was) a special gift from the referee.”

Addo’s criticism of American referee Elfath was so direct that it may put him into hassle with FIFA.

When requested what he thought was the rationale for Ghana’s slim defeat, Addo responded: “The referee.”

“I think it [the penalty] was really the wrong decision,” he added. “I don’t know why VAR didn’t come up. There’s no explanation for me. And then it’s difficult against a world-class team when they are leading.

“I requested some folks outdoors with FIFA if I can speak with the referee in a relaxed and a quiet means however they stated he is in a gathering and it is not attainable.”

Ronaldo hails ‘beautiful moment’

After scoring in a report-breaking fifth World Cup, Ronaldo described the achievement as a “beautiful moment”.

“We started on a good foot,” he added. “It’s a very important win. We know in these competitions the first match is fundamental.

“It’s one other report, too – that makes me very proud. I’m very blissful for the workforce to have placed on a wonderful efficiency. It was troublesome however we deserved to win.”

However, Ronaldo wasn’t keen to discuss his acrimonious exit from Old Trafford, saying when asked about the issue: “All the remaining, it does not matter.”

Santos hailed his 37-year-old captain as a “phenomenon, a legend,” adding: “In 50 years’ time, we are going to nonetheless be speaking about him.”

What does the result mean?

The victory sends Portugal top of Group H ahead of their meeting with Uruguay on Monday.

Uruguay were held to a goalless draw by South Korea in the earlier game in the group.

Player of the match – Bruno Fernandes

Once again, it was all about Ronaldo, but in truth he was a long way from his best. His team-mate Bruno Fernandes was a little closer to his. The 28-year-old, now a former team-mate of Ronaldo’s at club level, pulled the strings throughout and set up Portugal’s second and third goals with trademark through-balls.

Analysis: Ronaldo nonetheless lifts Portugal up

Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

“The records keep rolling in for Ronaldo. We heard a lots of ‘Suiiis’ today but then we ended up seeing the one that mattered. It was one to break Ghanaian hearts because they were predicting it would not happen today, that Ghana would prevent him from doing so.

“He was not anyplace close to his finest. Anyone who has watched Ronaldo in his profession wouldn’t say that he was. But given the circumstances coming into this World Cup and the primary recreation, the controversy that has been round him, the noise, the controversy, the worldwide consideration, the ceaseless dialog, he nonetheless lifts Portugal up.

“He gave a good account of himself, he had a goal disallowed, snatched at a few chances, had a few heavy touches, but he is still Portugal’s reference point. Before the game, we spoke to a lot of Portuguese journalists and they were referencing the fact that so many people say: ‘Ronaldo can’t run’. Managers, analysts, everyone is talking about that.

“To Portugal, that doesn’t matter as he has been and achieved so much to the national team that just his presence could be galvanising even when we think it’s disruptive. What he does in training sessions and on the pitch is good for his team-mates.

“The recreation itself, we had been hoping to not be disillusioned. It was a sleepy first half however having spent the construct-up with the followers, we had been pondering there’s a lot color and jubilation: we need to see a great recreation.

“And that second half was incredible. What would have happened if Inaki Williams hadn’t slipped? I don’t think Ronaldo and Portugal would want to find out and they didn’t need to.”

Al-Hilal exploring Ronaldo deal

Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal are exploring a deal to signal Ronaldo on a free switch. Manchester United acquired a proposal for Ronaldo from Saudi Arabia in the summertime and had been keen to simply accept the bid, just for the deal to ultimately fall by means of.

Ronaldo says he rejected that transfer, value round £305m, however information of Al-Hilal’s curiosity comes after Saudi Arabia sports activities minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal revealed the nation needs to carry him to their home league – in addition to take over Manchester United and Liverpool, who’re each looking for new buyers.

“Who wouldn’t want him to play in their league?” Prince Abdulaziz informed Sky News about bringing Ronaldo to Saudi Arabian soccer. “He’s a role model to a lot of young players – him and Messi.”

Ronaldo’s report-breaking evening – Opta stats

• Cristiano Ronaldo has develop into the primary participant to attain in 5 completely different editions of the World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022).
• Cristiano Ronaldo has develop into the third participant to be each a rustic’s oldest and youngest goalscorer on the World Cup, together with Croatia’s Ivica Olic and Denmark’s Michael Laudrup.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the second oldest participant to attain on the World Cup (37 years, 292 days), behind solely Roger Milla in 1994 for Cameroon (42 years, 39 days). He’s the oldest to attain for a European nation, overtaking Sweden’s Gunnar Gren (37 years, 236 days) in 1958.
• Bruno Fernandes has develop into solely the second Portugal participant with two assists in a World Cup recreation, after José Torres vs Brazil in 1966.