3-2 win over Ghana – Ronaldo makes history: Portugal celebrate opening win – Sport

  • Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in a hard-fought Group H game at Qatar 2022.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 65th minute with a penalty, creating something historic.
  • After Ghana equalized (73′), Joao Félix and Rafael Leao ensured the Portuguese victory, Osman Bukari was only able to shorten the gap.

For a short time, Ghana could hope to cause another surprise at this World Cup. After a swift attack down the left, the active Mohammed Kudus got the ball and put the ball in the middle. Andre Ayew was there ready to insert: The 1-1 equalizer for the West Africans in the 73rd minute.

A few minutes and a Portuguese double strike later, however, hopes of winning a point for the Ghanaians had already dwindled sharply. In the 78th minute Joao Félix scored to make it 2-1, two minutes later Rafael Leao doubled it. Both times the Ghanaian defense was overwhelmed by the fast Portuguese switching game.

Slipping prevents compensation

But Ghana didn’t give up even after being two goals down. Osman Bukari headed a cross into the net in the 89th minute – only 3:2. And the “Black Stars” almost managed to equalize. In the 100th and last minute, Inaki Williams snatched the ball from Swiss-born Diogo Costa in the Portugal goal. Before he could finish, however, he slipped and shortly afterwards the game was over.

Historic Ronaldo Gate

After an uneventful first half, it had taken until the 65th minute for Portugal to celebrate taking the lead. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to become the first player to score in five different World Cups. St. Gallen goalie Lawrence Ati Zigi suspected the corner but was powerless against the end.

However, the penalty call was extremely controversial: Mohammed Salisu mainly hit the ball in a duel, but also a little Ronaldo’s foot. That touch was enough for referee Ismail Elfath to point to the spot. The VAR also refrained from getting involved.

Here’s how to proceed

Thanks to the starting win, Portugal leads Group H after the first matchday. Uruguay and South Korea drew 0-0 in the afternoon. It continues on Monday: South Korea meets Ghana at 2:00 p.m., Portugal plays Uruguay at 8:00 p.m.

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