Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five Fifa World Cups as Portugal began their campaign with a thrilling victory over Ghana.
Ronaldo was playing for the first time since his controversial television interview last week and his subsequent release by Manchester United following the comments.
And the 37-year-old scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, hammering in after being tripped in the box by Ghana's Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu.
Captain Ronaldo had a couple of chances early on but a low shot was smothered by Lawrence Ati-Zigi and he also headed wide at the far post.
The forward had a goal disallowed for a push on Alexander Djiku while at the other end, Ghana did not have a single shot in the opening period.
The Africans improved in the second period as Mohammed Kudus drilled narrowly wide of the far post and got their reward when Andre Ayew equalised from close range.
But Portugal responded with two goals in two minutes to seal the points - Joao Felix converting a delightfully clipped finish and substitute Rafael Leao coolly stroking in just seconds after coming on.
Osman Bukhari headed in a late consolation for Ghana and there could have been real drama in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa put the ball down, seemingly unaware Inaki Williams was behind him, but after racing to intercept the ball, the Ghana forward slipped at the crucial moment and a scuffed shot was cleared off the line.
Victory means Portugal top Group H after Uruguay and South Korea played out a goalless draw earlier on Thursday.
- Relive Portugal's victory over Ghana
Ronaldo hogs the headlines again
The focus before this game was on just one man - Ronaldo.
The veteran forward came into the tournament with a cloud over his head following the explosive TalkTV interview where he said he felt "betrayed" by Manchester United.
Unhappy with what he had to say, the Premier League club initiated a process to terminate his contract, which was confirmed on Tuesday.
But the player will be in the headlines for all the right reasons this time, as he surpassed the great Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose to stand on his own by scoring at five different editions of the tournament.
Supporters were on their feet in anticipation every time Ronaldo got anywhere near the ball and they erupted when his strike from the penalty spot in the second half - which came after relatively easy missed opportunities in the opening period - hit the back of the net.
It was also a record-extending 118th international goal, which includes eight in the group stage of the World Cup, though he is the player with the most strikes without netting in the knockout stage.
Former West Ham and Swansea striker Ayew levelled from Mohammed Kudus' cutback to extend Ghana's run of scoring in their last six World Cup games.
Felix's sumptuous finish and Leao's nerveless effort looked to have sealed the points for Portugal with 10 minutes remaining.
Substitute Bukari headed in and celebrated with Ronaldo's 'Siu'. Otto Addo's side would have been delighted with a draw and almost got it, but for Williams' slip.
Player of the match
LampteyTariq Lamptey
with an average of 7.62
- PortugalPortugalPortugalGhanaGhanaGhana
PortugalAvgSquad number8Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating
6.93
Squad number15Player nameRafael LeãoAverage rating
6.89
Squad number10Player nameBernardo SilvaAverage rating
6.58
Squad number18Player nameRúben NevesAverage rating
6.43
Squad number4Player nameRúben DiasAverage rating
6.30
Squad number11Player nameJoão FélixAverage rating
6.30
Squad number14Player nameWilliam CarvalhoAverage rating
6.07
Squad number20Player nameJoão CanceloAverage rating
5.94
Squad number6Player nameJoão PalhinhaAverage rating
5.93
Squad number17Player nameJoão MárioAverage rating
5.89
Squad number7Player nameCristiano RonaldoAverage rating
5.89
Squad number5Player nameRaphaël GuerreiroAverage rating
5.85
Squad number25Player nameOtávioAverage rating
5.84
Squad number26Player nameGonçalo RamosAverage rating
5.76
Squad number13Player nameDanilo PereiraAverage rating
5.74
Squad number22Player nameDiogo CostaAverage rating
5.42
GhanaAvgSquad number2Player nameLampteyAverage rating
7.62
Squad number5Player nameParteyAverage rating
6.92
Squad number10Player nameA AyewAverage rating
6.83
Squad number20Player nameKudusAverage rating
6.78
Squad number4Player nameSalisuAverage rating
6.62
Squad number1Player nameAti-ZigiAverage rating
6.57
Squad number25Player nameSemenyoAverage rating
6.53
Squad number18Player nameAmarteyAverage rating
6.52
Squad number17Player nameBabaAverage rating
6.51
Squad number11Player nameBukariAverage rating
6.50
Squad number21Player nameAbdul SamedAverage rating
6.41
Squad number23Player nameDjikuAverage rating
6.38
Squad number26Player nameSeiduAverage rating
6.35
Squad number19Player nameWilliamsAverage rating
6.32
Squad number9Player nameJ AyewAverage rating
6.28
Squad number8Player nameKyerehAverage rating
6.21
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsPortugal
Formation 4-3-3
22Meireles da Costa20Cancelo4Rúben Dias13Danilo5Guerreiro10Bernardo Silva18Neves25Otávio8Bruno Fernandes7Cristiano Ronaldo11Félix Sequeira
- 22Meireles da Costa20Cancelo4Rúben Dias13DaniloBooked at 90mins5Guerreiro10Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forJoão Palhinhaat 88'minutes18NevesSubstituted forda Conceição Leãoat 77'minutes25OtávioSubstituted forWilliam Carvalhoat 56'minutes8Bruno FernandesBooked at 90mins7Cristiano RonaldoSubstituted forMatias Ramosat 88'minutes11Félix SequeiraSubstituted forJoão Márioat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Rui Patrício2Dalot3Pepe6João Palhinha9André Silva12Sá14William Carvalho15da Conceição Leão16Vitinha17João Mário21da Luz Horta23Nunes24Pereira de Albuquerque Tavares da Silva26Matias Ramos
Ghana
Formation 5-3-2
1Ati-Zigi26Seidu18Amartey23Djiku4Salisu17Baba5Partey20Kudus21Abdul Samed10A Ayew19Williams
- 1Ati-Zigi26SeiduBooked at 57minsSubstituted forLampteyat 66'minutes18Amartey23DjikuSubstituted forSemenyoat 90+2'minutes4Salisu17Baba5Partey20KudusBooked at 45minsSubstituted forBukariat 77'minutes21Abdul SamedSubstituted forKyerehat 90+2'minutes10A AyewBooked at 49minsSubstituted forJ Ayewat 77'minutes19WilliamsBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Lamptey3Odoi6Owusu7Fatawu8Kyereh9J Ayew11Bukari12Danlad13Afriyie14Mensah15Aidoo16Nurudeen22Sulemana24Sowah25Semenyo
Referee:Ismail ElfathAttendance:42,662Match StatsHome TeamPortugalAway TeamGhanaPossessionHome62%Away38%ShotsHome11Away9Shots on TargetHome5Away3CornersHome3Away3FoulsHome14Away19Live TextPost update
Match ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
90'+11'Full Time
Second Half ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
90'+8'Post update
Attempt missed. Osman Bukari (Ghana) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
90'+7'Post update
Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'+7'Post update
Foul by Daniel Amartey (Ghana).
90'+6'Post update
Attempt blocked. Rafael Leão (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Palhinha.
90'+5'Booking
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).
90'+5'Post update
Osman Bukari (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+4'Post update
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Osman Bukari (Ghana).
90'+2'Substitution
Substitution, Ghana. Antoine Semenyo replaces Alexander Djiku.
90'+2'Substitution
Substitution, Ghana. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh replaces Salis Abdul Samed.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Mohammed Salisu (Ghana) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Thomas Partey.
90'+1'Booking
Danilo Pereira (Portugal) is shown the yellow card.
90'+1'Booking
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) is shown the yellow card.
90'Post update
Foul by Danilo Pereira (Portugal).
90'Post update
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'goalGoal!
Goal! Portugal 3, Ghana 2. Osman Bukari (Ghana) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
88'Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. Gonçalo Ramos replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Source: bbc.com