Ronaldo sets World Cup record as Portugal edge past Ghana

A dull first half was replaced by an exciting second period as Portugal started their World Cup campaign with a 3-2 win over Ghana at Stadium 974.

Action: Portugal controlled the majority of the first half but they were switching passes at too slow a pace to really trouble Ghana.

In the opening minutes of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo was close to putting his nation in front but goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi did well to prevent CR7 hitting the net.

With half-hour an played, the former Man Utd man then slotted a great finish into the far corner, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul just before his effort.

In the second-half, Portugal kept dominating and playing at the same slow tempo but they managed to take the lead around the hour mark when Ronaldo won and then converted a penalty.

The 37-year-old made no mistake, smashing the ball into the top-left corner to become the first man to score in five World Cups.

The Black Cats reacted quickly and levelled in the 73rd minute, after Ajax's Mohammed Kudus threaded a ball inside the penalty box that went through the legs of Danilo Pereira into the path of Andre Ayew, who tapped home.

But, suddenly, Portugal scored two quick-fire goals to seemingly put the game to bed with 10 minutes to play.

Just four minutes after Ghana's equaliser, João Félix ran onto a through-ball from Bruno Fernandes and dinked it over Ati-Zigi's sprawling dive to put Portugal back in front.

And two minutes later, substitute Rafael Leão curled home into the bottom corner for Portugal's third after another superb through ball from Manchester United midfielder Fernandes.

Portugal thought they had the three points in the bag, but their game nearly turned into a nightmare...

In the 89th minute, João Cancelo was beaten by Baba Rahman on the left wing and his cross found Osman Bukari, who was free at the far post to pull one back.

In the last minute of stoppage minute, a dramatic finale ensued as Diogo Costa claimed a high ball in his box and dropped the ball to prepare for a long-ball - without realising Iñaki Williams was lurking behind him. The Athletic Bilbao forward got onto the ball but slipped at the crucial moment and Portugal were finally allowed to celebrate a hard-fought win.

Monumental moment: It has to be the last incident in stoppage time between Diogo Costa and Iñaki Williams. It would have been one of the most dramatic ends to a World Cup game ever. The Portuguese goalkeeper is a very lucky man for getting away with that mistake.

Man of the match: Bruno Fernandes. When Portugal most needed someone to step up and deliver, Bruno made two brilliant assists for his nation's second and third goals, which ultimately decided the game.

Reaction: Ruben Neves: "There are always things to improve in all teams, in every job. We are no different, we know that we can do better, but it was a deserved and very important victory. 

"Let's look at what went not so well to minimize the mistakes as much as possible. It was a very important victory that gives us a lot of motivation for what's coming."

xG: Portugal (2.45) 3-2 (0.98) Ghana

Stat of the Day: Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score five in different editions of the World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022).

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