Portugal 3 Ghana 2 – World Cup LIVE RESULT: Ronaldo scores in FIFTH World Cup in nervy victory over Black Stars – latest
Sponsored by
CRISTIANO RONALDO made history as the first man to score in FIVE World Cups in Portugal's 3-2 win over Ghana.
Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana moments after Ronaldo's penalty before Joao Felix and Raphael Leao put daylight between the two sides.
Osman Bukari pulled one back late for Ghana but the damage was already done.
- RESULT: Portugal 3-2 Ghana
- Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Danilo, Ruben Dias, Guerreiro; Neves; Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Otávio, Joao Felix; Ronaldo
- Ghana XI: Ati Zigi; Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Amartey, Rahman; Partey, Abdul Samed; Kudus, Inaki Williams, Andre Ayew
BETTING SPECIAL - GET £40 IN FREE BONUSES FOR THE WORLD CUP
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below...
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
39. Ronaldo drops deep, Fernandes runs in behind, Neves boots the ball out of play.
On the bench, one of the Premier League's stars of this season - Palhinha - wonders what he has to do to get a game.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
38. Shock horror! Ghana force back-to-back corners.
Nothing comes from them though apart from a wayward slice from Salisu, and a free-kick going Portugal's way for a push.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
36. On the turn, Otavio gets another shot away from the edge of the box.
However, it's soft and straight at Ati-Zigi.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
34. The Ghana fans are enjoying the game even if Martin Lipton isn't...
Ronaldo scores. The crowd roars.
But the ref had already blown for a nudge to topple Djiku. No way VAR gets involved in that one.
Ghana fans, especially the ones with the instruments, clearly do not believe in drawing breath. They’re going to have fun, no matter how ordinary this game is.
Martin Lipton
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
33. Ghana have yet to register a touch inside the Portugal penalty area - which is a fair indication of their attacking intent.
Chris Hughton, your work here is done.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
31. Ronaldo scores! But the referee had already blown for a free-kick against the Portuguese captain!
The 37-year-old was adjudged to have fouled his marker before cooly curling past Ati-Zigi in the Ghana goal.
The Portugal players protest - led by moaner-in-chief Ruben Neves - but the official's decision is the correct one and stands.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
30. Portugal take ages pondering a free-kick 40 yards from goal, but they needn't have bothered.
Fernandes' delivery is powered clear by Partey.
Ghana are terrified of the Portugal press, booting the ball away and inviting pressure.
Not that any of the punters seem to be responding to the actual football, what little of that there has been.
Two competing rhythms, drums at one end, a trumpet-style band at the other.
On the pitch, neither harmony nor melody. Pretty rubbish, really.
Martin LiptonPortugal 0-0 Ghana
28. Joao Felix shows why Atletico Madrid regret paying £113m for the forward.
A clever pull-back from Bernardo Silva to the edge of the box is begging to be struck goalwards by the 23-year-old, but instead he gets under the ball and scoops it high, wide and ugly.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
27. A cool head from Thomas Partey under pressure from three Portuguese attackers in his own box.
The Arsenal midfielder stays calm, and then plays a pass back to goalkeeper Ati-Zigi to clear.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
25. This time it's Bruno Fernandes making the run in behind from deep, but the set up suffers from the same problem.
Bernardo Silva's through ball is too heavy for his Manchester United rival.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
24. Andre Ayew uses his experience and nous to buy a free-kick from Ruben Neves, and relieve some of the pressure on his team.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
22. Joao Felix goes looking for his strike partner with a chipped centre, but overhits the cross.
That's very much been the story of this game so far.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
21. Curse the FIFA official that decided rainbow bucket hats weren't allowed in the stadiums, but drums were.
The persistent beat is not good for those nursing hangovers.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
19. Bizarrely, Stadium 974 is a little more than half-full, but Martin Lipton is able to offer an explanation as to why:
If you’re wondering about all the empty seats, one late arrival has just, somewhat breathlessly, told me it’s 'chaos' outside, with lots of fans delayed and unable to get in and riot cops trying to keep order. Traffic was pretty bad on the way here. So that’s not really a surprise. But it’s a shame. Seems like quite a lot of the Ghana fans haven’t made it yet. Those that have are watching their side struggle.
Martin LiptonPortugal 0-0 Ghana
17. Another break for Ghana, but a similar outcome.
This time it's Rahman that overhits a pass intended for Partey.
Never mind, the Black Stars quickly drop back into their 5-4-1 shape.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
15. Ghana break out from their solid defensive stance to launch a break.
A long ball is clipped in the direction of Inaki Williams, but there's too much on it for the forward to reach ahead of Diogo Costa.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
13. Another opportunity for CR7!
The Portugal captain rises in trademark fashion at the back post to meet Guerreiro's lofted delivery, but somehow fails to make a telling connection.
"That's his meat and drink," remarks Ally McCoist on co-commentary.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
12. A slick one-two on the left cuts Ghana open at the back, but a desperate block puts Guerreiro's latest cross behind for another corner.
Should. Have. Scored.
Ronaldo, of all people, missing the sort of chance you’d expect him to gobble up after the Ghanains were caught in possession 40 yards from their own net.
His touch was slightly off but the keeper was out so swiftly to cut down and block with his chest.
Of the two coaches, Santos looks more agitated, pacing up and down his technical area.
Martin LiptonPortugal 0-0 Ghana
10. Big chance for Ronaldo!
A loose touch from Kudus in midfield sparks an opportunity for Portugal to counter.
A quick through ball is perfect for the Ronaldo racing through the middle, but an equally heavy first touch allows Ati-Zigi to burst off his line and block the forward's second.
The rebound ricochets off Ronaldo's chest and falls behind for a goalkick.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
8. A nervy moment for Danilo in defence, who tries to trick his way beyond Andre Ayew inside his own penalty area - but momentarily forgets to take the ball with him.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
7. Portugal have bossed possession early on, but it's all a little frantic so far.
Bruno Fernandes has a chance to pierce the Ghana defence, but his lofted through ball is so wayward that it curls out for a throw-in near to the corner flag.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
5. The corner from the left is headed partially away, but only as far as Otavio, who goes for a spectacular response on the volley.
His first time shot from 25 yards is pulled well wide of the goal.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
4. Guerreiro wins the first corner of the game for Portugal after coming out on top in an intriguing footrace with Seidu.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
2. The crowd cheer as Ronaldo takes his first touch in open play, but it's an uncharacteristically heavy one that leads to him chopping down Baba Rahman.
An inauspicious start.
Kick-off - Portugal v Ghana
1. American referee Ismail Elfath blows his whistle, and then Cristiano Ronaldo - visibly emotional during the national anthem - gets the game going for Portugal.
There are bound to be more tears from the 37-year-old during the coming weeks, but will they be of joy or despair?