Cristiano Ronaldo makes World Cup history as Portugal edge Ghana in a thrilling thriller to go top of Group H

By -
Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show as his record headlines a nervy win for Portugal over the Black Stars of Ghana as five second half goals ensured the penultimate kickoff of the day not without excitement.


Portugal started the game brightly as Ghana adopted the plan to absorb the pressure and play out from the back. The Black Stars successfully execute their plan and were also able to pressure the Portuguese on the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasted a promising chance after his first touch let him down and Ghanian Goalkeeper, Ati-Zigi made himself big enough to cover any danger just after ten minutes and couple of minutes later, Ronaldo again rise highest to meet a cross but couldn't make the right connection.

The Portugal captain had the ball in the back of the net on the half hour mark only for it to be disallowed for a foul on Alexander Djiku even before the former Manchester United man strike the ball into the back of the net.

Five minutes after the hour mark, Cristiano Ronaldo converts from the spot after winning a penalty off Mohammed Salisu. The goal means he becomes the only player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to score in five different and consecutive editions of the tournament.

However, the lead did not last for long as eight minutes later, the opposing captain, André Ayew scored to restore parity for Ghana after Mohammed Kudus did well to find him in the area for a simple tap in, following a poor defending awareness by Ruben Dias.

Portugal retake the lead through Joao Felix following a brilliantly threaded pass by Bruno Fernandes. The Atletico Madrid man takes his time before expertly firing into the back of the net in the 78th minute.

It was meant to be a quick double for Portugal as Rafael Leao scores from another Bruno Fernandes’s assist just three minutes after coming on for Ruben Neves in the 77th minute.

Another substitute but this time for Ghana, Osman Bukari pulled one back for the West African to set up a nervy ending to the clash in Doha.

Ghana nearly grabbed a late equaliser after Diogo Costa dropped the ball for a kick out, unaware of Inaki Williams, who stole possession but them stumble as he tried to turn. Portugal recovered in time and were able to clear the danger.

A winning start secured for Fernando Santos’ side, who go top of the group, two points ahead of Uruguay and Korea Republic following the two’s goalless draw earlier in the afternoon.

Ghana go bottom of their group but will take a lot of positives from their performance and will be looking to take the bull by the horn again, when they play the other two in their remaining group games.


Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another Newcastle defeat means time to go BIG on Eddie Howe might be about right

By -
Image
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United falled to a sixth defeat in seven games as Nottingham Forest sealed a 3-1 comeback win in the Saint James' Park, adding to their Champions League and Carabao Cup elimination in December while they continue to drop down the Premier League table. Credits to the Englishman, however, he is not in an elite level. A project like Newcastle United's is in a stage where you say thank you very much to Eddie Howe, a bid him farewell. It was a miracle, what the former AFC Bournemouth boss has done in his just more than two years at the helm of affairs in Tyneside and after the club failed to make the statement upon their UEFA Champions League qualification, the time couldn't be more right. Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United when the club was deep down the bottom of the Premier League standing and helped them become the first-ever to avoid relegation having not won a single game up until Gameweek 14 in the competition's history. Newcastle Un
Read more

Rasmus Hojlund; a pragmatic solution to Manchester United's needs despite likely consequences

By -
Image
Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as a real target for Manchester United as they look to secure a main goalscorer, who will lead the lines for the club on a long-term. Erik Ten Hag has opted for a different approach compared to previous managers of United in recent times, whom had all gone for players of different status. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wout Weghorst are strikers the club has signed post Sir Alex Ferguson era, all of whom arrived at the club in their 30s. With Hojlund, United are looking to sign someone who just turned 20, though still has a lot more to learn to master the trade but at the same time, he has got the potentials to become one of the best around. The striker position has been a major issue for the club as many of those who had been signed has not lived up to expectations, while those who did ended up leaving due to their already ending careers. Cristiano Ronaldo and maybe Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the only two names who have m
Read more

Nigeria makes continental history as Osimhen and Oshoala win big in CAF awards

By -
Image
Victory for Nigeria at the CAF awards gala in Marrakech as Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the major prizes on the night, making the country the first-ever to produce winners of both CAF Men's and Women's Best Players in the same year. Victor Osimhen crowned Africa's Best For the first time since Kanu Nwankwo 24 years ago, a Nigerian player has won the most prestigious individual accolade in African football with striker Victor Osimhen beating Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi to the CAF Men's Player of the Year award. Osimhen, who enjoyed a sensational year with Napoli, delivering their first Scudetto in 33years and helping them to a first-ever quarter final place in the UEFA Champions League was always front-runner for the award, moreso after Riyad Mahrez failed to make the final three. Aside his conquests with Napoli, the 24-year-old striker was also unplayable in the AFCON qualifiers, scoring ten goals in six games and finishing as top scorer of the qualificatio
Read more