During the Seleço’s emotional 3-2 victory over Ghana at Arena 974 in Doha, Fernando Santos’ Portugal ended a run of three opening World Cup matches without a win.
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As had been the case throughout the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo was at the center of the action almost immediately, and perhaps the 37-year-old had put Portugal ahead halfway through the main period, only for ref Ismail Elfath to call off the goal.
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A dull first half ensued, with defenses solidly on top, and the game never appeared to be imitating the main previous H2H, when Portugal expelled Ghana 2-1 in Brazil quite some time ago.
Regardless of the off-field squabble surrounding his future, Ronaldo moved forward for Portugal in the following period and lit the match, netting the opener from 12 yards.
After being tripped by Mohammed Salisu inside the penalty area, the result appeared unavoidable, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner tucking home a certain struck penalty – an objective that also made Ronaldo the first player in history to score in five different World Cups.
That ignited what had been a generally dull illicit relationship into life, with André Ayew netting from short proximity to reestablish equality only eight minutes after the fact. Ayew, who has now highlighted in more World Cup games than some other current African player, was close by to tap home Mohammed Kudus’ reduction and send the Dark Star devoted into joys.
In sharp differentiation to the main around 50% of, the objectives kept on streaming. First and foremost for Portugal, who got two times in less than three minutes to give themselves clear sunshine, when João Félix’s sensitive throw was supplemented by Rafael Leão’s clean correct footed finish, with the two objectives made by Manchester Joined’s Bruno Fernandes.
It ought to have been given Portugal the pad they expected to easily see the game out, however a persistent Ghana cut the shortage late on. Osman Bukari lept most elevated inside the punishment region to head home the Dark Star’s second of the game. Yet, notwithstanding being conceded nine minutes of added time, Ghana couldn’t find a balancer, meaning every one of the five African sides will end cycle one of the gathering stage without a triumph.
