Qatar 2022: Portugal Leapfrog Ghana In Controversial Circumstances

Portugal witnessed roadblocks but finally managed a slender 3-2 victory against Ghana on Thursday November 24, in Doha. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at least one goal in five editions of the World Cup.

Fernando Santos’ men took almost an hour to find fault in the Ghanaian defense despite having multiple opportunities in the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo who had missed a one-v-one against Ati Zigi after about ten minutes, had another chance on a cross from Raphaël Guerreiro, but Portuguese captain then rose higher than everyone, and missed target 14 minutes in.

Ghana defended deep and kept inviting pressure on themselves. Half an hour into the game, Ronaldo muscled off Alexander Djiku, before curling into the net – but it was adjudged to be a foul by referee Ismail Elfath.

After the pose, Ronaldo hit the deck in the Ghanaian surface. It wasn’t the most obvious penalty of his career, but the referee did not reverse his decision, much to the dismay of the Ghanaian players. Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese captain grabbed the ball and transformed for 1-0, five minutes after the hour mark.

With his eighth goal in the World Cup, Ronaldo is now only one adrift Portuguese legend Eusebio, but remains 8 goals off record holder, Miroslav Klose of Germany.

Ayew was running all evening, breaking sweats. The skipper on one of the rare Ghanaian incursions charged by Mohammed Kudus scored for one-all at the 73rd minute.

Ayew was then making his way out of the field when Joao Felix scored at the 78th minute, before Rafael Leao made it 3-1 at the 80th minute.

Second half substitute Osman Bukari, found space at the far post and scored Ghana’s second with a minute of regular time left.

The result could have turned on its head for Portugal at the last minute of borrowed time. Diogo Costa was hassled by Osman Bukari who appeared behind him to steal the ball. Osman however stumbled as he tried to dribble, saving the Portuguese from a last-second equaliser.

Portugal take the lead in Group H. Fernando Santos’ men are ahead of Uruguay and South Korea, who tied goalless earlier.

Portugal will play against Uruguay on Monday, in a game that will be a remake of the round of 16 in 2018 – during which Edinson Cavani’s brace won it for Uruguay. A victory and Portugal would already be assured of qualification for the round of 16.