Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups as his penalty helped Portugal secure a 3-2 win over Ghana in a thrilling Group H encounter.
Ronaldo, a free agent after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in the wake of his explosive interview, hit back at his critics with yet another piece of history when he converted the opener from the spot after he was fouled by Mohammed Salisu (65).
Ghana equalised against the run of play when Andre Ayew, their own veteran striker, fired home from close range (73), but Portugal immediately responded with quickfire goals from Joao Felix (78) and substitute Rafael Leao (80).
Ronaldo, who scored his first World Cup goal as a 21-year-old back in 2006, revelled in the spotlight following a tumultuous week and received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the closing stages, but Portugal had to survive a nervy finale after Osman Bukari headed home Ghana's second goal (89).
Ghana had a golden opportunity to level in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Inaki Williams caught Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa unawares to steal possession in the box, but the forward lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing Ronaldo and his team-mates to cling on for victory.
Match Events
0' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?
4' Otavioi’s long shot inches wide!
10' CLOSE!Ronaldo misses a golden chance!
31' OFFSIDE! Ronaldo‘s goal disallowed
35' CLOSE! Felix’s shot wide out
41' Cristiano Ronaldo's shot is blocked by a defender
44' Yellow Card! Mohammed Kudus booked
48' Yellow Card! A.Ayew booked
55' CLOSE! Kudus’s shot wide out
56' Yellow Card! Alidu Seidu booked
64' Penalty Goal! Portugal 1-0 Ghana (Ronaldo)
72' GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Ghana (A.Ayew)
77' GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Felix)
79' GOAL! Portugal 3-1 Ghana (Leao)
82' OFFSIDE! Cristiano Ronaldo's shot is blocked by the goalkeeper
88' GOAL! Portugal 3-2 Ghana (Bukari)
Line-ups
Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Danilo Pereira, Cancelo, Guerreiro, Otávio, Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Diogo Costa, Felix
Subs: Pepe, Patricio, Carvalho, Andre Silva, Mario, Jose Sa, João Palhinha, Ricardo Horta, Dalot, Leao, Matheus Nunes, Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva
Ghana XI: A.Ayew, Baba, Partey, Amartey, Djiku, I.Williams, Lawrence Ati Zigi, Mohammed Kudus, Mohammed Salisu, Salis Abdul Samed, Alidu Seidu
Subs: Denis Odoi, Jordan Ayew, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Owusu, Aidoo, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Nurudeen, Ibrahim Danlad, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Sowah, Osman Bukari, Tariq Lamptey, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Daniel Afriyie, Issahaku Fatawu
Ninabceuz
1
rdsyhbcab
Peaabiotuy
1
NM namaste namaste I will be in a while back 🔙 namaste namaste I will be in a
Bidbicky
0
The Real Goat
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with the world cup [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Jaqen_Haguar
0
🌎 🔥 He has been criticized a lot for the past couple of months and today he made another history by becoming the first player on earth to score at 5 direct world 🏆 cup finals. This is how to reply your haters ❤️, no one will skip this.
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score at 5 direct world cup finals, without even playing in a single world cup final.. CR7 fans are really funny 🤣
Pesbdosyz
0
good
Pesbdosyz
1
cool
Fakbcklmns
1
hello
Sudcdlnop
1
ronaldo
sealain
1
is shame, any real attacker will score 1 goal in any world cup he involved. what special in this ?
But Messi did not score in one of his World Cup go check your fact kiddo
soktuyz
1
keep crying with your mouth close to your black butt.. you black sheep blackie black black black
After all,.. BAMBOO is better than PIG !
Wutabdlm
2
Ghana was robbed
Pakabckoy
0
roñaldo become the first player to score at five WORLD CUP in a row 😌
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Without any WC Pele by 30 had won 3, R9, Mbappe all have won
taebklmntz
0
Did anyone else catch Leao smiling before hitting the ball 🤣😂😂
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Yes I do and I was wondering what he was thinking even before kicking the ball he started laughing.
NirtyAndrews
0
the African siiiuuu
nocbclnou
1
agree
daydilmnrs
3
honestly that penalty was not a penalty
Bacdklsuy
0
wait kid world cup isn't over yet 😂 play some tournaments not every champions got a good start always
more ever it wasn't penalty
Bacdklsuy
0
that's your problem three points in the bag , somewhere in Argentina someone is going home early
wait kid world cup isn't over yet 😂 play some tournaments not every champions got a good start always
topbdituy
3
God will punish those who cheated us
yehabnoprt
1
How on earth can’t this not be offside even he was smiling before kicking the ball
Peseknsu
1
This game wasn't a neutral one..honestly Portugal was favoured.. where was VAR for all those..not even a check!! racism is real i 🤬 swear
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that penalty was a disgrace. referee didn't bother to check even once. pure intentional penalty.
Sotdeilnps
1
The referee, is of course a fun of Ronaldo. It was never a penalty
caoabeklps
4
Clear offside... Racism is real swears!
NirtyAndrews
1
if hearts ♥ are considered in the World Cup Ghana won the match coz it won a lot of hearts today even those of Portugal
Pohblmopz
2
That wasn't a penalty. VAR only works for big nations. Sad.
MumbaRk
0
thats what he told why are you furious haha 😂 tapinaldo
that's your problem three points in the bag , somewhere in Argentina someone is going home early
Graphics100
1
Ghana 🇬🇭 fans are weeping and saying they were rub 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
RajibMondal
0
portugal's next 7 is Felix...
jamespiol
4
verify it before you accused them of being haters .
topbdituy
2
They cheated Ghana and it was obvious ✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽
Graphics100
2
The greatest, the GOAT🐐
yatbekmrs
0
silencing the doubters
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Honestly Ronaldo has finished.
Kareb_sixa
0
keep crying with your mouth close to your black butt.. you black sheep blackie black black black
bro [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]but it's true this people always say that it's racism
maenahmar
1
It's shame. Not to be kicked penalty. That was not foul. Where is VAR?
CaliHata
0
1 penalty goal (as usual) plus 4 real goals. What a ref.
yatbekmrs
0
The 3 West African Americans countries representing African are Trash. Thanks to the North African representative representing Africa.
Fadbekmnpz
0
silencing the doubters
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honestly he did nothing
soktuyz
0
sleeping
you rather SLEEPING
Mikckmptuz
0
Did anyone else catch Leao smiling before hitting the ball 🤣😂😂
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yes I do
layiopst
1
Nonsensical Mercy will always be Mercy
Kareb_sixa
0
then why wasn't that blakie given a redcard for headbutt on Felix?
exactly bro some people just can't accept defeat
Phobiaking
4
Ghana robbed, that wasn’t a penalty. Who agree?
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Barca and Argentina fan will definitely agree moreover there goat was slaughtered 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
poobcklnst
0
he really hit siuuu😭
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this was a bad celebration
Kareb_sixa
1
This game wasn't a neutral one..honestly Portugal was favoured.. where was VAR for all those..not even a check!! racism is real i 🤬 swear
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the match was fair what racism are you talking about??? just because your country lost now you are complaining
mirorcr7
4
silencing the doubters
Habcilprsy
0
Ronaldo is bigger than the whole Manchester United including Rooney and his career as a footballer. Thank you for your understanding 🙏🏼
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But he dived and cheated to get a penalty against Ghana
HERMANNO19
3
That 1st penalty was a total gift to Portugal 🇵🇹, truth must be said
yekbeinopr
1
Check the properly it wasn't a penalty the defender played the ball first
I agree bro.PORNALDO penalty was fake.
Habcilprsy
0
Satisfies with both the team
Renaldo dived you can’t be GOAT if you cheat
Tepbcmory
0
Did anyone else catch Leao smiling before hitting the ball 🤣😂😂
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this goal was offside