Good afternoon and welcome to today’s coverage of the clash between Portugal and Ghana in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After days of waiting since the mundial commenced in Qatar last Sunday, the Black Stars are finally set to play their first match.
The Ghana national team is coming up against the star-studded Portuguese side in a Group H encounter that should provide excitement for fans.
For our coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, footballghana is coming your way with this live update to provide a minute-by-minute feed on proceedings.
About an hour before kick-off check out the preview of this game in the link below.
READ: World Cup 2022: Portugal v Ghana – What the stats say
Ahead of kick-off, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has named his first eleven.
In the Ghana team, goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has been handed the start and will be protected by a strong defense that includes Daniel Amartey, Alidu Seidu, Salisu Mohammed, Alexander Djiku, and Baba Rahman.
Arsenal superstar Thomas Partey forms a midfield partnership with Salis Abdul Samed while Inaki Williams leads the attack.
Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus will be providing width for the Ghana attack.
Today’s top Group H game between Portugal and Ghana is scheduled to be played at the Stadium 974.
The game will kick off at 16:00GMT.
Ghana starting eleven to face Portugal:
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ! 🚨
Our starting 𝗫𝗜 to face Portugal. #BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup | #TeamGhana | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/dHbKM5r9k6
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 24, 2022
Game will kick off in the next 30 minutes.
First Half:
1' We are off for the first half of the contest. Who will win this one?
3’ Early exchanges have already proven that Ghana is not heard to play. Good pressing and hard tackling from the players.
4’ First corner of the game goes to Portugal. It is well-taken but Mohammed Salisu clears the danger.
8’ Ghana with the opportunity to burst forward. Alidu Seidu sends in an early cross but it is dealt with easily.
9’ Ronaldo is through on goal after Mohammed Kudus easily gave the ball away. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi makes himself big to deny Ronaldo the opening goal.
12’ What a great jump from Cristiano Ronaldo. He gets on the end of a cross but misses the target.
16’ The tempo of the game has slowed down in the last few minutes. Both sides playing with a lot of caution.
19’ It’s been all Portugal in the last three minutes. The Europeans are dominating play as Ghana chases the game.
22’ Joao Felix attempts to create something for Portugal but his lobbed cross goes over the bar.
25’ Ghana continuously keen on playing from the back. It has been risky but so far no cause for worry.
27’ Portugal 0-0 Ghana
28’ Joao Felix finds himself with space in the Ghana box but goes for the early shot. His effort goes over the bar.
30 The referee gives a word of caution to Ghana midfielder Abdul Salis Samed for a foul on Bruno Fernandes.
31 Cristiano Ronaldo has the ball in the back of the net but it won’t count. Ghana is awarded a free kick.
32’ A good cross is sent in from the free-kick but Ghana again deals with it.
35’ We head into the final 10 minutes of the first half with Ghana yet to register a shot on goal.
37’ Ghana finally with an attempt from a corner. Portugal deals with it for another Ghana corner. Unfortunately, it is wasted.
40’ Five minutes more in the first half. A very tense atmosphere here as the search for the opening goal continues.
42’ Great passing play from Ghana but the chances are not coming.
44’ The first yellow card of the game is flashed to Mohammed Kudus.
45’ We will do two minutes of added time.
Halftime: That will be all for the first half. Portugal 0-0 Ghana.
Second Half:
47’ We are back for the second half of the game as Ghana kicks us off. Will there be a goal in this game?
48’ The two countries have decided to continue from where they left off.
49’ Andre Ayew is yellow-carded for a bad foul.
52’ Loud cheers from the Ghana supporters after the Black Stars win a corner.
53’ The resulting corner kick is wasted.
55' SO CLOSE!! Mohammed Kudus come close to scoring but his long drive misses the post by inches.
57 Another yellow card. Alidu Seidu is booked for a foul on Joao Felix. The hard-tackling defender must now be careful.
60' Ghana head coach Otto Addo is preparing to ring changes. Osman Bukari and Tariq Lamptey are prepared to come on.
62' Referee whistles, give a penalty to Portugal. The Ghanaian players protest and demand a VAR review. The referee ignores and sticks to his decision.
64' Goal!!!!!!! Whi else? Cristiano Ronaldo scores to give Portugal the lead from the spot.
70' Portugal now taking their time on the ball. It has been so since taking the lead.
73 Goal!!! What a response. Andre Ayew scores after some quality work by Mohammed Kudus.
75’ Osman Bukari is on for Mohammed Kudus. Jordan Ayew also comes on to replace Andre Ayew.
76’ Goal!!! Portugal scores again to restore the lead. Great finish from Joao Felix.
79 Goal!! Portugal increases their lead for a third goal. Substitute Rafael Leao curls one in after an explosive counter-attack.
80' We are into the final 10 minutes of the game.
84' The changes by both managers have changed the pace of the game in so many ways.
89' Goal!!! Ghana substitute Osman Bukari heads home a cross from Baba Rahman to make it 3-2.
90' We will do nine minutes of stoppage time.
Full Time: Portugal holds on to secure a 3-2 win. What a thrilling contest.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘
𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗟 3️⃣ - 2️⃣𝗚𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔
⚽️ Ronaldo 64’ *pen, Joao Felix 77’, Rafael Leao 79’ | Andre Ayew 72’, Osman Bukari 88’. #BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup | #TeamGhana | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/BT0mt3pAGa
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 24, 2022