Portugal vs Ghana final score, result: Ronaldo makes more history as Portugal open World Cup challenge with a win

Andrew Haslam

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Portugal vs Ghana final score, result: Ronaldo makes more history as Portugal open World Cup challenge with a win image

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups as Portugal finally saw off Ghana to open Group H with a win in a five-goal thriller.

Portugal took control of the match from the first whistle, and nearly turned their early dominance of possession into a tangible reward — Ronaldo being thwarted by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, before heading wide at the far post a few moments later.

The ball was in the Ghana net just past the half-hour mark, via a typically assured Ronaldo finish, but the Portugal captain was adjudged to have fouled Alexander Djiku as he spun on the ball, and the strike was ruled out.

Portugal continued to toil into the second half but out of the blue they were handed a golden opportunity when Ronaldo was felled by Mohammed Salisu and stepped up to smash in his 118th international goal from the spot.

There was some debate as to whether the challenge warranted a penalty, but having already given the award, the referee was not told to change his decision by VAR.

Ghana responded strongly. Kudus stung the palms of Diogo Costa before getting away down the left and delivering a low cross that deflected off Danilo Pereira and fell perfectly for Andre Ayew to turn the ball in from close range.

This time it was Portugal's turn to find an answer, and they duly struck twice in three minutes to win it. Bruno Fernandes was the architect of both, slipping passes through the Ghana backline for assured finishes from first Joao Felix and then Rafael Leao, the latter's first international goal.

Ghana did have renewed hope when Osman Bukari headed them back into it in the 89th minute — and then mocked Ronaldo with his celebration — before they almost snatched 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.

For Ronaldo, the result means he is off and running in his bid to win one of the few trophies that has eluded him, in what will surely be his last World Cup.

It also put a different context on a difficult week, after his contract with Manchester United was terminated following his explosive, and highly critical, interview with Piers Morgan.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights for Portugal vs Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. You can catch up with all the action as it happened from the Group H match in Qatar below.

MORE: Where next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

Portugal vs Ghana live score

  1H 2H Final
Portugal 0 3 3
Ghana 0 2 2

Goals:

POR — Ronaldo (65 mins, penalty) 

GHA —  Andre Ayew (73 mins)

POR — Joao Felix (78 mins) 

POR —  Rafael Leao (80 mins)

GHA —  Osman Bukari (89 mins)

Starting lineups:

Portugal (4-1-2-1-2, right to left): 22. Costa (GK) — 20. Cancelo, 4. Dias, 13. Danilo Pereira, 5. Guerreiro — 18. Neves (Rafael Leao 77') — 8. Fernandes, 25. Otavio (14. William Carvalho 56') — 10. Bernardo Silva (6. Joao Palhinha 88') — 7. Ronaldo (26. Goncalo Ramos 88'), 11. Joao Felix (17. Joao Mario 88')

Ghana (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Ati-Zigi (GK) — 26. Seidu (2. Lamptey 66'), 23. Djiku (25. Semenyo 90+2'), 18. Amartey, 4. Salisu, 17. Rahman — 20. Kudus (11. Bukari 77'), 5. Partey, 21. Abdul Samed (8. Kyereh 90+2'), 10. A. Ayew (9. J. Ayew 77') — 19. Williams. 

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Portugal vs Ghana as it happened, highlights from 2022 World Cup

FULLTIME: It's all over and Portugal have held on, just, to open the World Cup with a win for the first time since 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the spot and Joao Felix and Rafael Leao looked to have made the game safe after Anre Ayew's equaliser, but the European side had to survive a grandstand finish to pocket the three points.

90+10 mins: What on earth is happening! Diogo Costa doesn't see the Inaki Williams lurking behind him and the Ghana striker nips in after the ball is left on the floor, but slips at the crucial moment and Portugal are able to scramble it away!

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90+8 mins: A heart in mouth moment for Diogo Costa, who's scrambling across his goal after Osman Bukari tries his luck from the left side. The ball is, just, wide, to the relief of the Portugal goalkeeper.

90+4 mins: Portugal are trying to run down the clock here, and timewasting is definitely becoming an issue, but the referee looks to be wise to it. That nine extra minutes could be extended even further.

90+1 mins: Inaki Williams is in the book for retaliating after being fouled by Danilo Pereira, and we're into NINE minutes of added time. Don't go anywhere!

GOAL! 89 mins: Hello! Out of nothing, Ghana have one back, Baba Rahman's persistence paying off down the left and his cross looping up for Osman Bukari to head in at the far post!

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88 mins: Two of Portugal's three goalscorers depart as Ronaldo and Joao Felix are replaced for the final stages.

83 mins: Ronaldo gets away again, bursting ahead of the defence only to be foiled by Lawrence Ati-Zigi, at which point the offside flag goes up.

GOAL! 80 mins: Surely that's that now! Bruno Fernandes carries the ball from just inside his own half and times his pass perfectly, sliding a perfectly-weighted pass through to Rafael Leao, who applies the finish for his first international goal. 

GOAL! 78 mins: Portugal are back in front! Bruno Fernandes spots a gap in the Ghana defence and slips a pass through for Joao Felix on the right, and the Atletico Madrid forward lifts a fine finish over the advancing Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

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77 mins: Two changes for Ghana and one for Portugal. Rafael Leao is on for Ruben Neves, while Jordan Ayew and Osman Bukari are on for Ghana.

GOAL! 73 mins: Ghana are level now though! And it is Mohammed Kudus at the heart of it, getting down the left and pulling back a cross that nicks off Danilo Pereira and falls perfectly for Andrew Ayew to slot in from close range.

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72 mins: If Ghana are to get back into this, Mohammed Kudus is surely going to be the man mostly likely to provide it, stinging the palms of Diogo Costa with a fierce drive from range.

68 mins: Yet another record for the collection!

MORE: How Ronaldo's goal at World Cup earned him another record

GOAL! 65 mins: No mistake from Ronaldo, who smashes international goal number 118 past Lawrence Ati-Zigi! The goalkeeper dives the right way, to his right, but the kick is too well struck and right in the corner.

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PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! 62 mins: Ronaldo goes down under Mohammed Salisu's challenge and the referee points to the spot!

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58 mins: Alidu Seidu is absolutely livid as he goes into the book for a late challenge on Joao Felix. He's having to be led away by Daniel Amartey as tempers flare and he's probably fortunate not to collect a second yellow for his actions in the aftermath.

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57 mins: A first change of the evening as Otavio, who's down receiving treatment, makes way for William Carvalho, who is appearing in his third World Cup.

55 mins: And there is Mohammed Kudus now, driving forward from midfield and unleashing a low left-foot shot from 20m out. Diogo Costa, diving to his left, probably has it covered, but that's Ghana's brightest moment so far.

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53 mins: Ghana are definitely showing a little more as an attacking force since the restart, with Mohammed Kudus pushed further forward to good effect.

49 mins: Another yellow card and it's another Ghana player, their captain this time. Otavio's clever turn on halfway takes him away from Andre Ayew, who responds with a trip that brings a booking.

48 mins: There's been a lack of energy and tempo from Portugal so far; both will need to be raised considerably if they're to start making life difficult for Ghana.

46 mins: Andre Ayew gets the second half started. His Ghana side have been relatively comfortable so far, although Portugal will hope to ask a few more questions in this second 45 minutes.

HALFTIME: Nearly but not quite for Portugal, who've had the better of that first half but without it quite happening. It might have been a different story if Ronaldo had taken either of his presentable early chances, while the free agent also had the ball in the net only to be penalised for a foul. An increase in tempo needed in the second period.

45 mins: Mohammed Kudus is the first yellow card of the evening, going into the book for a high challenge on Joao Cancelo. We'll have just the two minutes of added time.

44 mins: Portugal's fullbacks have been their best attacking threat in this first 45 minutes, Joao Cancelo whipping in a promising low cross that is fractionally behind all his attacking players. The Portuguese regain possession but Otavio gets his ball in all wrong, sending it high over the crossbar.

42 mins: Portugal have huffed and puffed in this first half, and Ronaldo is encapsulating their frustration. Here he has a shot blocked, before inadvertently getting in the way of Raphael Guerreiro's header from Bruno Fernandes' cross.

38 mins: A first spell of pressure for Ghana as they win a couple of corners in quick succession, but the delivery isn't the best on either occasion and any hope of retrieving the situation is halted by the referee's whistle.

35 mins: Portugal are continuing to do more of the pushing, although Ghana do look relatively comfortable at the back. This latest effort is typical of their attacking, Otavio trying an optimistic effort that Lawrence Ati-Zigi is able to get right behind.

31 mins: Ronaldo has the ball in the net! Oh, but the whistle goes almost immediately, as a push is awarded for his challenge on Alexander Djiku that gave him the shooting chance. It did look like a shove, although it's a close call. As clinical a finish as you'd expect, though.

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28 mins: That's a decent chance for Joao Felix, but his finish is wild as he leans back and the ball sails harmlessly wide. Manchester City pair Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva had combined to good effect down the right to create the opening.

25 mins: Left-back Raphael Guerreiro looks like being a key outlet for Portugal going forward tonight. No less than 60% of their attacks so far have come down that flank, compared to 20% down the middle and 20% down the right.

21 mins: The pattern of play is well and truly set now, with Portugal dominating both ball and territory. They've had 67% of the ball in this first quarter and four attempts on goal; Ghana have yet to manage one.

17 mins: There's no escaping Ronaldo is there?

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13 mins: Another chance and once again Ronaldo can't capitalise. Portugal take a corner quickly and Ghana are caught cold, Raphael Guerreiro getting the space down the left to measure a ball towards the far post... where Ronaldo rises highest only to nod wide!

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11 mins: There's the first chance of the night, but incredibly Ronaldo's touch isn't what it might have been and Lawrence Ati-Zigi is able to make a brave save at his feet. Mohammed Kudus had dwelled on the ball in midfield and Portugal were quick to pounce, Bruno Fernandes splitting the defence to play in Ronaldo.

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8 mins: Portugal are monopolising possession in these first few minutes, knocking the ball around at will and looking to stretch the Ghana defence. No clear chances as yet but they've had almost 70% of the ball to date.

5 mins: That's our first effort of the game as Ghana fail to fully clear a corner and the ball falls for Otavio just outside the area, but the Porto midfielder snatches at the shot and it drifts well wide.

2 mins: You'd have got fairly long odds on Ronaldo's first contribution being a foul but so it proves, the Portugal captain conceding a free-kick for a trip on halfway.

KICKOFF: Ronaldo gets the ball rolling and we're off and running in this Group H opener.

3 mins from kickoff: The teams are in the tunnel before emerging on to the pitch. Kickoff at Stadium 974 is moments away.

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5 mins from kickoff: A few bits of housekeeping just before we get started.

This is Portugal's eighth World Cup appearance and a sixth in succession – they have featured in every finals since 2002. They finished fourth in 2006, their best achievement since reaching the semi-finals on debut in 1966, and lost to Uruguay in the last 16 four years ago. 

Ghana missed out on Russia 2018 but are making their fourth appearance in five World Cups. They got to the round of 16 in 2006, their tournament debut, and the quarter-finals in South Africa, although most recently they failed to get out of their group at Brazil 2014, losing two of their three games. 

10 mins from kickoff: There's a few Ronaldo fans in the house this evening!

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15 mins from kickoff: Portugal look like they mean business...

25 mins from kickoff: Portugal were 2-1 winners against Ghana in the sides' only previous meeting, on Matchday 3 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. John Boye's 31st-minute own goal put Portugal in front and, though Asamoah Gyan levelled 12 minutes into the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo struck ten minutes from time to settle the contest – although neither side progressed from Group G with Germany and the USA taking the two qualification slots.

30 mins from kickoff: There's never a shortage of Ronaldo stats, but this one is a belter!

40 mins from kickoff: No prizes for guessing who'll take the headlines today, whether he scores or not...

50 mins from kickoff: Ajax's Mohammed Kudus starts for Ghana, with Andre Ayew leading the line ahead of Inaki Williams. Fellow recent call-up Tariq Lamptey is on the bench.

55 mins from kickoff: Yes, as everyone expected, Cristiano Ronaldo is fit after illness and captains Portugal. Signs are he'll play with Joao Felix up front with Bernardo Silva in just behind and Bruno Fernandes and Otavio in advanced midfield roles in what looks a very attacking lineup.

Nuno Mendes hasn't recovered from a knock so Raphael Guerreiro starts at left-back with Joao Cancelo on the right of defence. Pepe is also missing, leaving Danilo Pereira to partner Ruben Dias in central defence.

1 hour from kickoff: Official team news has DROPPED!

1 hour 5 from kickoff: We're not far away from official team news being confirmed now, although Cristiano Ronaldo does look set to captain Portugal here.

1 hour 20 from kickoff: Inside the Portugal dressing room just before the players arrive; love the lighting and those shirts are looking FANTASTIC!

1 hour 25 from kickoff: Decent atmosphere among the Ghana contingent!

1 hour 45 from kickoff: Ghana en route to the stadium — the Black Stars also looking focused.

2 hours from kickoff: Portugal are without a win in their last three World Cup openers (D2 L1) but they're feeling confident for this one.

2 hours 20 from kickoff: If you're looking for some advice when it comes to putting a bet on for this match then we've got you covered.

And no, the picks aren't just Ronaldo to score anytime.

3 hours from kickoff: It's set to be a tricky afternoon for Ghana after winning just three of their 14 internationals throughout 2022 (D5, L6 - including friendlies), Ghana enter the World Cup in poor form.

Given that form, the African nation are now ranked 61st in the world by FIFA, their worst ranking since being 77nd all the way back in 2004. 

3 hours 50 from kickoff: So if you're wondering what we're on about in terms of Ronaldo dominating the headlines of late and you've been living under a rock these last few weeks, let's fill you in so you're up to speed.

Earlier this month, Ronaldo gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan in which he criticised the club owners and his manager Erik ten Hag.

United made it clear they weren't happy with the comments and just a few days later the club announced they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

So Ronaldo's technically a free agent and playing to impress any potential club suitors today. Mad, right? 

4 hrs 30 from kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Group H clash between Portugal and Ghana. This one looks set to be dominated by one man, with Ronaldo likely to get all the attention. But will Ghana upstage him and pull off a shock? Let's find out!

Portugal vs Ghana lineups

Fernando Santos faced a bit of a coin toss for his starting goalkeeper and Porto's Diogo Costa got the nod over long-serving No.1 Rui Patricio. Danilo Pereira started ahead of veteran defender Pepe leaving Ronaldo as the sole cap centurion in Portugal's starting XI.

Attacking trio Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes all started behind Ronaldo.

Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes missed out, leaving Raphael Guerreiro at left-back with Joao Cancelo in the other full-back position. 

Portugal (4-1-2-1-2, right to left): 22. Costa (GK) — 20. Cancelo, 4. Dias, 13. Danilo Pereira, 5. Guerreiro — 18. Neves — 8. Fernandes, 25. Otavio — 10. Bernardo Silva — 7. Ronaldo, 11. Joao Felix

Both Kamaldeen Sulemana and Daniel Kofi Kyereh have been named in Ghana's World Cup squad despite injury concerns, although neither started. Inaki Williams did get the nod, with fellow recent call-up Tariq Lamptey starting on the bench.

Ghana (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Ati-Zigi (GK) — 26. Seidu, 23. Djiku, 18. Amartey, 4. Salisu, 17. Rahman — 20. Kudus, 5. Partey, 21. Abdul Samed, 10. A. Ayew — 19. Williams. 

Portugal vs Ghana live stream, TV channel

Here's how you can watch all the action in the major global territories.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
USA Thu, Nov. 24 11:00 ET FOX, Telemundo  fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Peacock Premium
Australia Fri, Nov. 25 03:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
UK Thu, Nov. 24 16:00 GMT ITV, STV ITVX, STV Player
Canada Thu, Nov. 24 11:00 EST TSN TSN app
Hong Kong Fri, Nov. 25 00:00 HKT — Now TV
India Thu, Nov. 24 21:30 IST Sports18 Voot, JioTV
Malaysia Fri, Nov. 25 00:00 MYT Astro, RTM Astro Go, RTMKlik
Singapore Fri, Nov. 25 00:00 SGT — MeWatch, Singtel, StarHub
New Zealand Fri, Nov. 24 05:00 NZDT Sky Sports Sky Go NZ

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA

Andrew Haslam

Andrew Haslam Photo

Andrew Haslam is a freelance journalist with more than 20 years' experience working in football. A long-suffering Middlesbrough fan, as if there's any other kind, he has been a long-standing member of UEFA's digital team with particular focus on press kits and Fantasy football in addition to live match coverage, and has also worked for the Premier League and Chelsea among many other roles.