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Portugal saw off a resilient Ghana 3-2 on Thursday (24 November) in possibly the most exciting game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup so far. It was also a landmark game for Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first player to score in five World Cups.
The Group H clash at Stadium 974 began in a staid fashion, with the technical Portuguese players keeping hold of the ball. They were trying to find gaps in the stubborn Ghana defensive and midfield lines but with little joy.
The best chance early in the game fell to Ronaldo in the second minute, who was put through by Bruno Fernandes, but it went begging because of a heavy touch as the 'keeper rushed out to close the space. Later, Ronaldo did put the ball in the net for Portugal but was adjudged to have fouled his marker in a bit of a 50-50 call.
Nil-nil at half-time, the game came to life in the second period. Centre-back Mohammed Salisu got more of Ronaldo than the ball in the 64th minute, according to the referee, who pointed to the spot. It was another fifty-fifty call. The maestro made no mistake, blasting the penalty home to the right of the 'keeper for his landmark strike.
However, against the run of play, Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana in the 73rd minute, meeting a low cross from Mohammed Kudus with the Portuguese defence caught napping.
Portugal then turned on the style as Fernandes first fed Joao Felix with an incisive through ball in the 78th minute. Felix finished with aplomb. In the 80th, Fernandes found substitute Rafael Leao on a break. Leao cut in from the left and curled the ball past the keeper to the far post to put Portugal two goals ahead.
At 3-1, Portugal looked home and dry, but another shoddy moment in defense led to Osman Bukari heading home and making it 3-2 in the 89th minute.
During a tense ending, Inaki Williams nearly stole the ball from Diogo Costa as the 'keeper tried to kill a few seconds by rolling the ball in front of him, unaware the striker was lurking behind. But Williams slipped at the opportune moment.
With the win, Portugal went atop Group H. On that note, let's take a look at the player ratings from the game:
Portugal
Diogo Costa - 5.5/10
Hardly called upon during the game, Costa nearly made a costly error late in the piece, but he could do nothing for the two goals his team conceded.
Joao Cancelo - 6/10
He was neat in his attacking and link-up play but was at fault for the second Ghana goal.
Ruben Dias - 5.5/10
The ace central defender did not make a single tackle in the game. That's largely due to the nature of the game, where the Ghanaians hardly attacked for most of the game and yet scored two counter-attacking goals.
Danilo Pereira - 4.5/10
The usually reliable centre-back went to sleep for the second Ghana goal, not picking up the runner, and also let the ball slip through his legs for the first as Portugal lost their lead.
Raphael Gurreiro - 6/10
He passed with high accuracy, made good interceptions at left-back and kept things quiet down that flank.
Otavio - 6.5/10
He showed spirit in midfield and ran with purpose and ould have found a better pass on occasions.
Ruben Neves - 6.5/10
The Wolverhampton Wanderers captain sat at the base of the midfield trident and kept things neat and tidy while recycling possession or passing it forward to build attacks. Neves did not have to do a lot of defensive work till the time he was taken off.
Bernardo Silva - 6/10
Starting on the right of midfield, the playmaker looked a bit out of position and only showed glimpses of his abilities for Portugal on the night.
Bruno Fernandes - 8/10
The Manchester United ace began in a forward position but was at his imperious best while dropping deep and providing his signature defence-splitting passes. Fernandes picked up two great assists and was Portugal's best player on the night.
Joao Felix - 7/10
Felix took his goal with class. He pit in some delectable touches but was often looked lost as well.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6.5/10
It was a mixed bag from Ronaldo on a record-breaking day. Fresh from his controversial departure from United, the world-record international goalscorer looked a bit jaded and off the pace at times.
His touch was notably heavy when Fernandes put him through on goal in the first half. However, there were some vintage moments as well, and he took his penalty with aplomb to put Portugal ahead.
Portugal Substitutes
Rafael Leao - 7/10
Changed the complexion of the game with his attacking play after coming on and scored a fine goal.
William Carvalho - 6/10
He did not make a mistake but did not exactly tighten up in defensive midfield as he was envisaged to do.
Joao Pahlinha, Goncalo Ramos - N/A
They came on in the 88th minute but made no significant contribution.
Ghana
Lawrence Ati - 6/10
Made one key save early but saw three goals go past him. He could have done nothing about any of them, though.
Abdul Baba Rahman - 5.5/10
He came face-to-face with Fernandes down the left, but the latter often drifted inside. Rahman had an average shift on the night at left-back.
Mohammed Salisu - 5/10
He conceded the penalty that led to the first goal. Salisu often found it difficult to contain the Portuguese forwards in the second half after a decent first.
Alexander Dijiku - 5.5/10
He had a solid first half as the five-man Ghana defense worked together. Dijiku looked a bit flustered as Portugal turned the screw in the second.
Daniel Amartey - 6.5/10
He was the most gallant of the three centre-backs, putting in two tackles and making five clearances.
Alidu Seidu - 5/10
He lost possession five times at right-back and also lost his temper in the second half. Seidu was yellow-carded and taken off right after.
Thomas Partey - 6/10
At times overrun by the Portugal midfield in the second half, the Arsenal man was assured on the ball in the first, as the Ghanaian lines cut off space together.
Mohammed Kudus - 7/10
He was possibly Ghana's best player on the night. Not only did he do his defensive duties in midfield with class, he also drove the Ghana attack with both his shooting and passing.
Salis Abdul Samad - 6/10
While he had a 94 percent passing accuracy, Abdul Samad also lost the ball a few times.
Inaki Williams - 5.5/10
By his standards, the forward had a disappointing game. Williams did not muster an attempt on target and was only in the limelight at the fag end.
Andre Ayew - 6.5/10
The Ghanaian captain did get the goal that restored parity for his team. Ayew was lively up top but ineffective for the most part except for the goal.
Ghana Substitutes
Tariq Lamptey - 5.5/10
Lamptey struggled to contain Leao after coming on at right-back but fought gallantly.
Osman Bukari - 6/10
He scored a fine headed goal and passed with fair accuracy after coming on despite not getting many touches.
Jordan Ayew - 6/10
He looked sharp for the few minutes he was on.
Antoine Semenyo, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh - N/A
Came on in the 90th minute, and did not do enough to warrant a rating.
(Stats taken from Sofascore at 11.30pm IST on 24.11.22)
