Portugal vs Ghana match
Portugal vs Ghana match report
Portugal vs Ghana match report
The third game on Day 5 of the 2022 World Cup threatened to be the second consecutive bore draw for Group H. It turned out to be anything but, with Portugal and Ghana playing a thriller.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal's attack against Ghana in their opening Group H match on Thursday, his fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.
Overview
In the end, Portugal proved they were more than Ronaldo, beating Ghana 3-2 in a frantic thriller that leaped to life following Ronaldo's moment; they have been more than him for a long. However, it is frequently all about him.
Portugal had control of the game in the first half. Portugal struggled in the second half, but they were gifted with a fantastic opportunity when Ronaldo was felled by Mohammed Salisu.
Finally, with a final score of 3-2, Portugal leads the match.
First half
Portugal coach Fernando Santos matched Ronaldo in attack with Felix from Atletico Madrid, while Danilo Pereira teamed with Ruben Dias in defense. Santos picked an offensive formation in midfield, with just Ruben Neves as an anchor.
Portugal took control of the game from the start and came close to turning their early possession dominance into a monetary reward.
The ball was in the net for Ghana just beyond the half-hour mark, thanks to a typically confident Ronaldo finish, but the Portugal captain was assessed to have fouled Alexander Djiku as he twisted on the ball, and the goal was called out.
The 37-year-old Portugal skipper had two chances to score in the first 15 minutes but missed both. He scored from close range in the 31st minute, but only after the referee blew his whistle for an infraction.
Second half
Portugal struggled on into the second half, but they were presented with a wonderful opportunity when Ronaldo was felled by Mohammed Salisu.
Kudus pricked Diogo Costa's hands before breaking down the left and hitting a low cross that bounced off Danilo Pereira and dropped nicely for Andre Ayew to turn in from close range.
It was now Portugal's opportunity to respond, and they did so by scoring twice in three minutes to win the game. Bruno Fernandes set up both goals, sneaking passes through the Ghana defense for comfortable finishes from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao, the latter's first international goal.
Ghana had a glimmer of hope when Osman Bukari headed them back into it in the 89th minute and then mocked Ronaldo with his celebration before almost snatching an unlikely draw right at the end, as Inaki Williams cleverly caught out Costa, only to slip at the crucial moment as he tried to nip in ahead of the goalkeeper.
Ronaldo, a free agent after his second tenure at Old Trafford ended suddenly on Tuesday, blasted home a controversial penalty in the 65th minute after the referee pointed to the spot after an innocuous coming together with Mohammed Salisu.
Ghana did little except defend deeply in the first half but gave their raucous crowd at the 974 Stadium something to cheer about when Andre Ayew scored.
For Ronaldo, the outcome means he can now focus on winning one of the few trophies that have escaped him at what will almost certainly be his final World Cup.
Goals
Ronaldo (POR) (65 mins, penalty)
Andre Ayew, GHA (73 mins)
Joao Felix, POR (78 mins)
Rafael Leao, POR (80 mins)
Osman Bukari, GHA (89 mins)
End score
Portugal-3
Ghana-2
Team
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Otavio, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ghana: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Alidu Seidu, Thomas Partey, Salis Abdul Samed, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Inaki Williams
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Dhruv Patel and writers in Cleats and other communities.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi About Lionel Messi, commonly known as Leo or Messi, is a Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Born in Rosario, Argentina on June 24, 1987, Messi started playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy at Newell's Old Boys before moving to Barcelona at age 13. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his first team debut in 2004 at the age of 17.
By Dhruv Patelabout a year ago in Cleats
Mastering the mind games of Mourinho..
In the bustling streets of London, amidst the roar of fans and the clash of football boots, there existed a man whose tactics transcended the pitch. José Mourinho, the mastermind behind many a football triumph, possessed a unique ability to wield not just the tactics board but also the minds of his players.Cesc Fàbregas, a gifted midfielder, found himself under Mourinho's spell during their time together at Chelsea. As he reflected on those days, he revealed the intricate web of influence Mourinho spun around him."I think with Mourinho, he played with my mind in a different way that nobody else played before," Fàbregas recounted, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of bewilderment.Their relationship was not merely coach and player; it was a complex dance of manipulation and inspiration. Mourinho, with his charismatic persona and keen understanding of psychology, knew exactly how to push Fàbregas to new heights."He would send me messages, he would speak to me nearly every day," Fàbregas recalled, painting a picture of relentless communication that kept him perpetually engaged, perpetually focused.Mourinho's words were not just casual chatter; they were strategic maneuvers designed to shape Fàbregas's perception of himself and his role within the team. Each conversation, each message, carried with it the weight of affirmation and importance."He would speak to me in a manner where he makes me see that I'm one of the most important players in the squad," Fàbregas revealed, the memory still vivid in his mind. Mourinho's words weren't empty praise; they were calculated strokes that bolstered Faàbregas's confidence and sense of belonging.And it worked. Under Mourinho's guidance, Fàbregas flourished, his performances on the pitch reflecting the belief instilled in him by his coach. He became a linchpin in the team, a maestro orchestrating plays with precision and finesse."That always had a really powerful message in my brain," Fàbregas admitted, acknowledging the lasting impact of Mourinho's manipulation. The coach's words weren't just fleeting encouragements; they were seeds planted in Fàbregas's mind, blossoming into a steadfast belief in his own abilities.As Fàbregas reminisced about those days, it became clear that Mourinho's influence extended far beyond the tactical realm. He wasn't just a coach; he was a mentor, a confidant, a master of the psychological game.Their time together at Chelsea may have come to an end, but the imprint Mourinho left on Fàbregas's psyche remained indelible. Even now, years later, Fàbregas found himself reflecting on those conversations, those messages, and the profound impact they had on his career.In the world of football, where physical prowess and tactical acumen reign supreme, Mourinho stood out as a master manipulator of the mind. His ability to understand his players on a deeper level, to tap into their emotions and motivations, set him apart as a coach of unparalleled skill.For Fàbregas, Mourinho's influence was a double-edged sword, simultaneously empowering and enigmatic. He had been both puppet and prodigy, a willing participant in Mourinho's intricate game of psychological chess.And yet, despite the complexities of their relationship, Fàbregas couldn't deny the role Mourinho played in shaping him as a player and as a person. The lessons learned, the confidence gained, were invaluable gifts that would stay with him long after the final whistle had blown.As Fàbregas gazed out onto the pitch, the memories of his time under Mourinho flooded back, a testament to the enduring power of the coach's voice. In the world of football, where triumph and defeat hung in the balance, Mourinho's words had been a constant, guiding Fàbregas through the highs and lows of the beautiful game.
By Eric anexis 6 days ago in Cleats
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.