Match report

Portugal Defeats Ghana 3-2 in World Cup Thriller

Portugal
Portugal
3–2
FT
Ghana
Ghana
Nov 24, 2022

Portugal secured a crucial 3–2 win over Ghana in their first World Cup Group H encounter. Despite early setbacks, the Portuguese team capitalized on key moments with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, and Rúben Lopes. The match was marred by multiple yellow cards for Ghana but Portugal's tactical adjustments ensured they held off a spirited Ghana comeback.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Portugal 3–2 Ghana
  • • Goal scorers for Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty), João Félix, Rúben Lopes
  • • Goal scorer for Ghana: A. Ayew, O. Bukari
  • • Yellow cards for Ghana: M. Kudus, A. Ayew, A. Seidu
  • • Substitutions key to maintaining momentum and freshness

Lineups

Portugal

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 22 Diogo Costa (G)
  • 20 João Cancelo (D)
  • 4 Rúben Dias (D)
  • 13 Danilo Pereira (D)
  • 5 Raphaël Guerreiro (D)
  • 10 Bernardo Silva (M)
  • 18 Rúben Neves (M)
  • 25 Otávio (M)
  • 8 Bruno Fernandes (F)
  • 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (F)
  • 11 João Félix (F)

Substitutes

  • 14 William Carvalho
  • 15 Rafael Leão
  • 26 Gonçalo Ramos
  • 17 João Mário
  • 6 João Palhinha
  • 2 Diogo Dalot
  • 1 Rui Patrício
  • 12 José Sá
  • 9 André Silva
  • 3 Pepe
  • 23 Matheus Nunes
  • 16 Vitinha
  • 21 Ricardo Horta
  • 24 António Silva

Ghana

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 L. Ati-Zigi (G)
  • 26 A. Seidu (D)
  • 18 D. Amartey (D)
  • 23 A. Djiku (D)
  • 4 M. Salisu (D)
  • 17 A. Baba (D)
  • 5 T. Partey (M)
  • 20 M. Kudus (M)
  • 21 S. Abdul Samed (M)
  • 10 A. Ayew (F)
  • 19 I. Williams (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 T. Lamptey
  • 9 J. Ayew
  • 11 O. Bukari
  • 25 A. Semenyo
  • 8 D. Kyereh
  • 12 I. Danlad
  • 24 K. Sowah
  • 3 D. Odoi
  • 16 A. Nurudeen
  • 14 G. Mensah
  • 22 K. Sulemana
  • 7 I. Fatawu
  • 13 D. Afriyie
  • 15 J. Aidoo
  • 6 E. Owusu

Timeline

  1. Ghana
    45' Ghana Card · Yellow Card
    M. Kudus

    Foul

  2. Ghana
    49' Ghana Card · Yellow Card
    A. Ayew

    Foul

  3. Portugal
    56' Portugal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Otavinho · On: William Carvalho
  4. Ghana
    57' Ghana Card · Yellow Card
    A. Seidu

    Foul

  5. Portugal
    65' Portugal Goal · Penalty
    Cristiano Ronaldo
  6. Ghana
    66' Ghana subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Seidu · On: T. Lamptey
  7. Ghana
    73' Ghana Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Ayew
  8. Ghana
    77' Ghana subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Ayew · On: Jordan Ayew
  9. Ghana
    77' Ghana subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Kudus · On: O. Bukari
  10. Portugal
    78' Portugal Goal · Normal Goal
    João Félix · Assist: Bruno Fernandes
  11. Portugal
    80' Portugal Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Leao · Assist: Bruno Fernandes
  12. Portugal
    88' Portugal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Cristiano Ronaldo · On: G. Ramos
  13. Portugal
    88' Portugal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: João Félix · On: João Mário
  14. Portugal
    88' Portugal subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Bernardo Silva · On: J. Palhinha
  15. Ghana
    89' Ghana Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Bukari
  16. Ghana
    90'+1 Ghana Card · Yellow Card
    I. Williams

    Argument

  17. Ghana
    90'+2 Ghana subst · Substitution 4
    Off: S. Abdul Samed · On: A. Semenyo
  18. Ghana
    90'+2 Ghana subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Djiku · On: D. Kyereh

Match Stats

Stat Portugal Ghana
Fouls 14 19
Pass Accuracy 89% 81%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 9
Corners 3 3
Total Passes 622 387
Yellow Cards 2 4
Blocked Shots 3 1
Shots on Target 5 3
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 62% 38%
Accurate Passes 552 315
Shots Inside Box 7 3
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 4 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty in the 65th minute provided Portugal with a vital lead after Ghana equalized through A. Ayew just moments earlier.
  • ▸ João Félix and Rúben Lopes' quickfire goals within two minutes (78th, 80th) shifted momentum firmly towards Portugal, despite Ghana's late goal by O. Bukari.