World Cup 2022 LIVE: Portugal vs Ghana commentary stream as Joao Felix goal puts Portugal back in front
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Portugal play Ghana in the 2022 World Cup today with Cristiano Ronaldo playing in his first match since leaving Manchester United by mutual consent earlier this week following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the tournament.
The 37-year-old Portugal captain is playing in his fifth World Cup and admits it will probably be his last chance to try and win the Jules Rimet trophy. He bids to do so alongside plenty of talented players including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leao.
But Ghana will be no pushovers and boast quality throughout their side, including the Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey at the heart of the team. Every game will be crucial in what has been pinpointed as the most evenly matched group at the tournament, with Uruguay and South Korea also competing for a place in the knockout rounds. Follow all the action with our live blog below:
World Cup 2022: Portugal vs Ghana updates
Portugal play Ghana in Group H of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar
78’ - GOAL! Neat Felix finish puts Portugal back in front (POR 2-1 GHA)
73’ - GOAL! Ayew turns home close-range equaliser for Ghana (POR 1-1 GHA)
65’ - GOAL! Ronaldo scores from the spot after winning a soft penalty (POR 1-0 GHA)
31’ - NO GOAL! Ronaldo has ball in net but foul is given against him (POR 0-0 GHA)
12’ - CHANCE! Ronaldo heads wide from a corner (POR 0-0 GHA)
10’ - CHANCE! Ronaldo denied one on one by Ati-Zigi (POR 0-0 GHA)
Cristiano Ronaldo playing his first game since explosive interview and Man Utd exit
Portugal 3 - 1 Ghana
World Cup 2022: Portugal 2-1 Ghana
17:37 , Alex Pattle
79 mins: Fernandes feeds a pass to Felix, who’s darting into the Ghana box, off to the right...
And Felix clips a lovely finish over Ati-Zigi on the angle! Portugal are back in front!
World Cup 2022: GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Felix, 78)
17:35 , Alex Pattle
78 mins: PORTUGAL RESTORE THEIR LEAD! FELIX WITH THE GOAL!
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-1 Ghana
17:34 , Alex Pattle
77 mins: Jordan Ayew replaces his brother – Ghana’s goalscorer and captain Andre Ayew.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-1 Ghana
17:32 , Alex Pattle
74 mins: Kudus, who has been his team’s best player in this half, nips into the Portugal box to latch onto a loose pass!
He gets there before Dias, then cuts a ball across goal... It goes through Danilo’s legs, and there is Andre Ayew to slam it home from a couple of yards out!
Game on!
World Cup 2022: GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Ghana (A Ayew, 73)
17:30 , Alex Pattle
73 mins: GOAL TO GHANA! THEY’RE LEVEL!
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-0 Ghana
17:30 , Alex Pattle
72 mins: Kudos to Kudus on a fine strike from range, which tests Costa in the Portugal goal.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-0 Ghana
17:28 , Alex Pattle
71 mins: Portugal are happy with the 1-0 lead for now, it seems. They’re passing the ball around the back patiently, as they did for much of the first half.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-0 Ghana
17:26 , Alex Pattle
68 mins: Confirmation that there was a VAR check before the penalty.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 1-0 Ghana
17:25 , Alex Pattle
World Cup 2022: GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Ghana (Ronaldo, 65 - pen)
17:22 , Alex Pattle
65 mins: AND HE SCORES IT!
Ronaldo smashes a penalty into the top corner, the first man ever to score at five World Cups, and he’s giddy!
He’s swarmed by teammates!
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:21 , Alex Pattle
63 mins: It doesn’t seem that there will be a VAR check.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:20 , Alex Pattle
62 mins: PENALTY TO PORTUGAL!
Salisu is deemed to have tripped Ronaldo in a 50-50 challenge!
Not sure about this...
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:16 , Alex Pattle
59 mins: Felix and Seidu go head to head, quite literally. Felix seems to initiate the exchange, but Seidu appears to push his head into the Portugal forward’s face.
After a beat, Felix hits the deck, and things threaten to get out of hand as players gather around. Seidu is booked.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:14 , Alex Pattle
57 mins: William Carvalho replaces Otavio in the Portugal midfield.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:14 , Alex Pattle
56 mins: Ronaldo, now sporting a short-sleeved top, gets the ball in space on Portugal’s left wing. He dances towards the edge of the Ghana box and does a few stepovers, before his shot is blocked.
Ghana then break through Kudus, who has come to life in this second half. He surges towards the Portugal penalty area and a shot follows from the edge of the box... but it’s another dragged effort that goes wide.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:11 , Alex Pattle
54 mins: Dias heads the corner away, and the ball soon falls to Seidu... who makes the wrong choice by shooting, dragging a low shot well wide of the Portugal goal.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:10 , Alex Pattle
53 mins: This is better from Ghana, who come forward on the left again.
Cancelo blocks a Kudus cross from the byline, heading the ball out for a corner.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:09 , Alex Pattle
52 mins: Kudus with a resilient run through the centre as he bears down on the Portugal backline.
He lays off a pass to Williams on the left, but Cancelo dispossesses the Athletic Bilbao forward.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:07 , Alex Pattle
49 mins: Salisu looks to break along Ghana’s right flank, but he’s dragged down by Otavio.
Moments later, it’s Otavio who wins a free kick after A Ayew fouls the Portugal man, who had turned him nicely.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:03 , Alex Pattle
46 mins: No changes from either coach at the break.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
17:03 , Alex Pattle
46 mins: Back under way!
Let’s hope we’re not headed for another goalless draw at the Qatar World Cup...
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
Mexico 0-0 Poland
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Portugal 0-0 Ghana...?
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:55 , Alex Pattle
A reminder that the other Group H game today ended 0-0 between Uruguay and South Korea.
Here’s Ben Burrows’ match report from Qatar:
Uruguay flatter to deceive in World Cup stalemate with South Korea
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:51 , Alex Pattle
This was the moment, just after the half-hour mark, when Ronaldo put the ball in the Ghana net.
The goal was ruled out, however, with the Portugal captain deemed to have fouled his defender just before.
In fact, the whistle went as Ronaldo struck the ball.
World Cup 2022: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:48 , Alex Pattle
Half-time: Goalless at the break, with Ronaldo’s ruled-out goal marking the closest either team has come to breaking the deadlock.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:46 , Alex Pattle
45 mins: Just the two minutes of added time.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:45 , Alex Pattle
44 mins: Cancelo slings a low cross into the Ghana penalty area from the right, but it’s behind a huddle of bodies and bounces through the box completely.
Portugal soon work it back to the right, where Otavio sees an opening and fires a shot goalwards... and just over.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:43 , Alex Pattle
44 mins: Clever footwork from Fernandes draws a foul in the Ghana half.
The free kick is taken quickly, with Portugal happy to build a move rather than sending a long ball into the box.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:42 , Alex Pattle
42 mins: Ronaldo receives the ball on the left wing and drives into the Ghana box, where he completes a give-and-go with (now-former United teammate) Fernandes...
It’s a neat exchange, but Ronaldo’s subsequent shot on the angle is blocked by Partey.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:38 , Alex Pattle
38 mins: Ghana win a corner on their right flank, which leads to another on their left.
It’s Ronaldo who heads it clear, but a foul is given against Ghana anyway for a foul on Danilo.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:37 , Alex Pattle
37 mins: It’s been all Portugal so far. Otavio kickstarts a neat move outside the Ghana box, slipping a pass to Felix, who is bundled over while laying the ball off to Fernandes.
Advantage is played, though, as Fernandes rolls the ball into Otavio inside the penalty area... only for a well-timed Ghana challenge to halt the move.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:33 , Alex Pattle
34 mins: Portugal have another free kick, this one a bit further forward than their last, and slightly off to the right.
This is a much more direct delivery from Fernandes, who arches the ball in with pace this time...
A Ayew gets stuck in defensively, however, heading it away.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:32 , Alex Pattle
31 mins: Fernandes floats the free kick into the Ghana box, but none of his teammates can get on the end of it.
They end up winning a throw-in on the left, and work the ball to Ronaldo in the Ghana area...
The free agent turns his defender and powers a finish across goal and home!!! BUT...
The whistle had already gone, Ronaldo deemed to have shoved over his defender unfairly! A bit soft, maybe?
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:30 , Alex Pattle
30 mins: Abdul Samed blocks off Fernandes as the Manchester United midfielder surges through the Ghana half, and Portugal will have a free kick some way from goal.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:27 , Alex Pattle
27 mins: A neat Portugal move sees Ronaldo bundled over in prime free-kick territory, just outside Ghana’s box, but advantage is played.
The ball is worked out left then crossed in, but Ghana’s defence deals with the attack well, heading the ball clear.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:25 , Alex Pattle
25 mins: The pattern of the first half so far continues, with Portugal content to switch play from right back Cancelo to left back Guerreiro via Dias and Danilo, the team waiting patiently for an opening.
They then move the ball up the pitch centrally, and Joao Felix is fouled as Ghana look to win possession.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:22 , Alex Pattle
23 mins: Portugal cut out a Ghana attack, which ends with Kudus’ attempted pass to Williams being intercepted.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:20 , Alex Pattle
20 mins: Portugal with 70 per cent of the possession after 20 minutes of football.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:17 , Alex Pattle
18 mins: Cancelo whips in a cross from deep on Portugal’s right side, but it’s headed away with ease.
Portugal will now build from the back.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:15 , Alex Pattle
14 mins: Fernandes swings an accurate pass from the right flank out to Portugal’s left, before it’s worked back central... but Ghana win the ball, and A Ayew is then fouled as he looks to break away.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:13 , Alex Pattle
12 mins: Portugal win a corner as Ghana scramble the ball clear near their byline...
It’s taken quickly – passed to Guerreiro, who clips a cross to the back post... Ronaldo is there...
But the ball skims off his head and out for a Ghana goal kick!!
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:11 , Alex Pattle
10 mins: CHANCE TO PORTUGAL! RONALDO CAN’T CONVERT!
A slick pass is slipped through the Ghana defence, and Ronaldo times his run well to get one-on-one with Ghana goalkeeper Ati-Zigi!
Ronaldo can’t quite get his first touch right, though, and Ati-Zigi clears the ball!
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:09 , Alex Pattle
9 mins: Kudus swings in a cross from Ghana’s right wing, but Costa is out of his goal swiftly to snatch the ball unopposed.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:06 , Alex Pattle
7 mins: Ghana aren’t able to hang onto the ball for long, before Portugal are back in possession.
Possession then swings again, until Neves wins the ball on the edge of the Ghana box and gets a shot off quickly!
It’s blocked at the source, but Portugal pick up the loose ball.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:05 , Alex Pattle
5 mins: A ball is clipped up Portugal’s left flank to Raphael Guerreiro, who surges towards the byline and wins a corner as his cross is blocked.
Nothing comes of the subsequent set piece, however, and Ghana have a goal kick.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:03 , Alex Pattle
4 mins: Patient build-up play from Portugal so far. They’re working the ball from side to side, resisting Ghana’s measured pressing.
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:02 , Alex Pattle
2 mins: Ronaldo’s first involvement is a foul!
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:01 , Alex Pattle
A reminder that Uruguay vs South Korea just finished 0-0 in the pool’s other game today.
Match report from Ben Burrows in Qatar:
Uruguay flatter to deceive in World Cup stalemate with South Korea
Portugal 0-0 Ghana
16:00 , Alex Pattle
Kick-off: This Group H fixture is under way!
Portugal vs Ghana: T-minus 10 minutes until kick-off
15:52 , Alex Pattle
Kick-off is edging nearer at Stadium 974 in Doha!
Roy Keane believes Manchester United will be ‘better without’ Cristiano Ronaldo
15:43 , Alex Pattle
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal train ahead of Ghana tie
15:36 , Alex Pattle
Portugal seek first World Cup title
15:32 , Alex Pattle
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Portugal might have won the World Cup at least once in their footballing history, but their record at the finals has actually been fairly patchy.
The Portuguese did not enter the first World Cup in 1930 and failed to qualify for any of the following editions until 1966, when they finished third – their best ever performance at the tournament.
They then failed to qualify for the next four World Cups, exited in the group stage in 1986, and failed to qualify for the following three editions.
Since then, their record has read:
• 2002 - group-stage exit
• 2006 - fourth place
• 2010 - last-16 exit
• 2014 - group-stage exit
• 2018 - last-16 exit
Latest odds for Portugal vs Ghana as sides begin Group H bids
15:19 , Alex Pattle
Here are the latest odds for Portugal vs Ghana as kick-off nears...
Portugal: 2/7
Draw: 17/4
Ghana: 19/2
Ghana starting XI in full as Thomas Partey features for Black Stars
15:12 , Alex Pattle
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ! 🚨
Our starting 𝗫𝗜 to face Portugal. #BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup | #TeamGhana | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/dHbKM5r9k6— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 24, 2022
Portugal’s confirmed line-up as Cristiano Ronaldo starts
15:11 , Alex Pattle
A ✨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗔✨! Este é o nosso 11 Inicial para hoje! 👥 #VesteABandeira
The ✨𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧✨! This is our Starting 11 for today! 👥 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/DNTBs6oq5T— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 24, 2022
Thomas Partey and Daniel Amartey among key players in Ghana XI
14:55 , Alex Pattle
And the Ghana line-up is in, too!
Ati-Zigi; Amartey, Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Rahman; Abdul Samed, Partey, Kudus; Williams, A Ayew
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal frontline against Ghana
14:52 , Alex Pattle
The Portugal line-up is in! Ronaldo leads the attacking line, as expected...
Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Guerreiro; Neves, Otavio; Fernandes, Felix, Silva; Ronaldo.
Portugal vs Ghana predicted line-ups
14:49 , Alex Pattle
Here are our predicted line-ups for this game, with the starting XIs expected to be confirmed in the next few minutes...
Portugal XI: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Neves, Carvalho, Fernandes; B Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
Ghana XI: Ati Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Djiku, Baba; Partey, Abdul Samed; Sulemana, Kudus, J Ayew; Williams
Portugal vs Ghana predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of World Cup fixture
Cristiano Ronaldo: Can Portugal legend still make a difference on the world stage?
14:36 , Luke Baker
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been named the best player in the world five times, will arrive in Qatar with a mission to prove that he can still make a difference.
It is indisputable that Ronaldo is one of the greatest forwards of all time but his latest struggles with Manchester United and Portugal have raised many questions about whether his brilliant career is nearing a bitter end.
Ronaldo is the leading scorer in the history of men’s international football with 117 goals in 191 official matches.
Between his first Portugal goal versus Greece at Euro 2004 and his most recent, a double against Switzerland in June 2022, 18 years have passed, making him a model of longevity.
He has scored 818 goals in his career and holds the record for the most Champions League goals in the competition’s history with 140.
Can Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo still make a difference on the world stage?
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United with immediate effect
14:31 , Luke Baker
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United with immediate effect in the wake of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan ahead of the World Cup.
Ronaldo lashed out at United’s owners, executives, manager and even some of his own teammates in an extraordinary tirade which aired in the week leading up to the tournament, effectively torching his bridges with the club, and the hierarchy concluded Erik ten Hag’s team would be better off without the striker going forwards.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ronaldo said that he “loved” the club and their fans, but that it was time for a “new challenge”.
“Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” Ronaldo said. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
It is understood Ronaldo will not receive a pay-off from the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United with immediate effect
Is Portugal vs Ghana on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch World Cup fixture
14:25 , Luke Baker
Portugal and Ghana begin their Qatar World Cup campaigns as they face off in Group H.
Ghana have a number of Premier League players in their ranks, including Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, but Portugal have a strong line-up that goes beyond captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo are real threats among Fernando Santos’ squad, and they will be motivated to make the most of this generation of talent as they bid to win Portugal’s first World Cup. To do so, however, the 2016 European champions must first navigate ties with Uruguay, South Korea and Ghana.
This match with Ghana is also set also mark Ronaldo’s first time competing since Tuesday’s news that he has left Manchester United by mutual consent.
Here’s all you need to know:
Is Portugal vs Ghana on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch World Cup fixture
Portugal vs Ghana
14:16 , Luke Baker
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Portgual vs Ghana in Group H at World Cup 2022.
Portugal renew their bid for a first-ever World Cup trophy with a tricky opener in Qatar. The Portuguese are nowadays seen as one of the major nations in global football, a status boosted by their Euro 2016 triumph, but the reality is that their best World Cup effort was a third-placed finish in 1966. They did come fourth in 2006 but have not gotten past the last 16 since, exiting at that stage in 2010 and 2018 while crashing out in the group in 2014.
With superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leading them on the pitch, however, it always feels like Portugal have a shot at glory, and the 37-year-old will feel especially motivated in what may mark his final World Cup. This time around, he and his teammates will have to navigate Group H, first facing Ghana before taking on Uruguay and South Korea.
Today’s game also marks Ronaldo’s first time back on the pitch since Tuesday’s news that he has left Manchester United by mutual consent following his explosive interview with Pier Morgan earlier this month.
Stick with us for full live coverage of Portugal vs Ghana.
