FIFA World Cup : Portugal vs Ghana

 A feisty contest between skills & physicality was served on the plate, as Portugal locked horns with Ghana. Led by the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo, who's been in the news for the wrong reasons, as ManU have declared to part ways with him day before, the Portuguese team had a lot to prove, while Ghana believed, they had all that was needed to create an upset. 

The 1st half was a story of missed chances by the European Brazil, with Ronaldo in the fray most of the times. Enjoying dominant possessions through the pitch, Portugal thought they had scored when Ronaldo latched on to a Joao Felix pass & shrugging a defender slammed the ball into the net past the keeper, but referee blew a foul by Ronaldo. At another occasion, with only the keeper to beat he steamed into Ati Zigi. Couple of other close shaves at the Ghana box went abegging, as the match trickled into the end of 1st half. Portugal had 7-8 shots at the gol, as opposed to Ghana, who did not get a single sniff at the other end. Inaki Williams was a shadow of his form in La Liga. In his prime Ronaldo would've probably won a hat trick by now, but the aging body probably is gradually bringing his game down. 

2nd half saw Ghana improve their showing & threatened their opposition a bit, but just after the hour mark, Ronaldo (who else!!) was brought down by Salisu inside the penalty area & the referee pointed to the dreaded spot immediately. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped in as expected & easily blasted a right footer into the middle top of the net, with a rapturous crowd breaking into celebrations. He became the first player ever to score in 5 separate World Cups & second oldest at 37yrs+ behind Roger Milla of Cameroon in 1994, who was then 42yrs+..... Ghana, however, did not lose hope & came all guns blazing. Partey & Kudus combined to strike hard from 22yards, but keeper managed to hold & stop the ball in his second attempt. A minute later, Ghana equalised, as Kudud ran through the Portugal defense & his low cross is met by Ayew, who puts the ball in the net, as score read 1-1. Brisk changes from both sides meant heavy lifting & Joao Felix ran through the Ghana defense after receiving a great pass from Fernandes, threading through to strike past the onrushing keeper to put his team on the lead. His first goal in World Cup debut. Before the dazed Ghana players could react, Rafael Leao, having come in for Ruben Neves minutes ago, curled in a fine strike from the left to score his first ever World Cup goal on debut, as Portugal went up 3-1. Cristiano Ronaldo, steaming full speed almost got his second, but the Ghana keeper managed a brilliant stop, as the flag went up for offside. Feeling that game is safely bedded, Portugal rested out Ronaldo, Fernandes & Felix with substitutes. But, with the game in its last few minutes, Ghana stormed back again, as Osman Bukari headed in at the far post, with just a minute left to normal time. Frantic football & goals galore, as the supporters at both ends kept screaming their lungs out to push for one more drive. Portugal keeper Costa almost handed Inaki Williams a stoppage time equaliser, with a lazy drop of the ball, but the striker fumbled at the vital moment to save Costa of the blushes. Experience of big match & big stage play helped Portugal keep a resurging Ghana at bay & an added time of 10 mins, did not bring joy for the Africans. In the end it was a Victorious Portugal celebrating, as a better team, while Ghana would be gutted not to carry home at least one point from the duel. 

Arguably the best game of the tournament till now, the match came to life after a blank 1st half with a flurry of 5 goals scored & the ball ran from one end to the other, as players matched skills for skills, & pace for pace.