Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese captain playing his fifth world cup became the first player to score in five different world cups when he scored the first goal for Portugal against Ghana on Thursday.
Portugal began confidently as Ghana, 61st in FIFA world ranking, started with a very defensive set up with five defenders, four in mid field and a single player upfront.
In the 10th minute, a through ball found an unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo and found himself on a one-on-one with the keeper. The keeper was quick off his line and reached the ball first to thwart the attack.
In the 13th minute, Ronaldo’s header from a corner missed the goal.
Ghana continued playing a very patient game not worried about the possession dominance of Portugal.
In the 31st minute, Ronaldo found the net after a clever twist and turn, but it was disallowed due to a push on the defender.
Ghana had their first attack in the 36th minute through consecutive corners but could not make anything out of it.
The first half ended nil-nil.
The second half was exhilarating as five goals were scored.
Ronaldo was fouled in the 62nd minute inside the penalty box and penalty was awarded to Portugal.
Ronaldo scored from the penalty by scoring with a high powerful shot to the right.
Ronaldo in the process became the first player to score in five different world cups.
Portugal unleashed 📈#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/t1s7zMoWb2
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
Ghana tried to find the equaliser which came through their captain Ayew in the 73rd minute assisted by Kudus from the left.
Ghana manager Otto Oddo made a double substitution replacing both the goal scorer Ayew and Kudus, who were playing very well.
Immediately after the substitution, Bruno Fernandes made a wonderful pass to Joao Felix on the right who restored Portugal’s lead in the 78th minute.
Just two minutes later, substitute Leao scored Portugal’s third goal.
Ghana looked beaten till Ghana substitute Bukari scored in the 89th minute and the match came alive again.
In the final minute of extra time, Portuguese keeper Costa made a big error when he released the ball and was stolen by Ghana player Inaki Williams.
Portugal unleashed 📈#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/t1s7zMoWb2
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
Williams could not punish Costa as the defenders quickly covered up, as Portugal held on to the lead to win 3-2.
Earlier in the first match of group H between South Korea and Uruguay, an agile South Korean team frustrated Uruguay in the first match of group H, as Uruguay hit the post two times.
South Korea started the match playing in fast pace and preventing Uruguay to settle down.
With almost identical possession both sides, Uruguay initially depended on quick break away, specially wide of the pitch to create openings.
The first real chance presented before Uruguay but Nunez failed to connect to a pass from the right.
Luis Suarez failed to have an impact in the first half and looked out of position.
For the Koreans, a long ball from their half to Son created a decent opening but Son’s cross was too low and cleared by the Uruguay defenders easily.
In the 26th minute, Oliviera had a great run from around the centre of the pitch to the edge of the Korean penalty box but his final ball to Nunez on the left was a bit too hard and the keeper reached before Nunez could, wasting a very good chance.
South Korea had a golden opportunity to go one up but Hwang missed from close reach with no defenders blocking him and just the keeper to beat as his powerful shot went above the cross bar.
The Koreans maintained a very high work rate.
Uruguay and Korea Republic begin their campaigns with a point 🇺🇾🇰🇷@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
Uruguay appeared wary of the pace and work rate of the South Koreans and maintained a deeper backline.
In the 45th minute, Uruguay nearly took the lead but a very good header from their captain Diego Godin hit the post and the half ended in a stalemate.
In the 51st minute, Son made a brilliant run into the penalty area but a perfect tackle spoiled the Koreans move.
Uruguay replaced Suarez with Edison Cavani in the 65th minute and that appeared to change the attacking dominance.
Cavani’s capability in the air and ability to hold the ball upfront till support arrived served Uruguay well.
Uruguya began looking much more dangerous with Cavani upfront.
In the 81st minute, Cavani set up Nunez whose powerful shot from just outside the penalty box on the right went wide of the far post.
Just at the closing, Valverde had a powerful run from the middle and his well-taken long ranger hit the right goalpost with the Korean keeper beaten.
Uruguay was left more frustrated having hit the post twice; but the match was quite even in terms of possession and shots on goal.
Uruguay’s Valverde had a good match. Nunez also made good runs but the final touch eluded him today.
As the group stands, Portugal despite having defensive worries will be confident of going through to the next round.
Ghana will be disappointed not to have a point against Portugal. The group looks quite tight with each team capable of causing upsets.
