Portugal v Ghana LIVE: 2022 Fifa World Cup score, commentary & updates

Summary

Use audio icon at top of page for live coverage from Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar
FT: Portugal 3-2 Ghana - Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, Joao Felix & Rafael Leao; Andre Ayew & Osman Bukari
Ronaldo becomes first man to score at five World Cups
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Live Reporting

Neil Johnston

From Somerset Cup to World Cuppublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Four years ago Antoine Semenyo was playing for Bath City in a Somerset Cup quarter-final against Welton Rovers. Today, the 22-year-old is on the bench for Ghana at the World Cup.
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Where have the goals gone?published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Errrrm...does anyone know where all the goals have gone? There were 11 on Wednesday but just one in two games so far today.
Pressure on Portugal and Ghana to provide a goal-fest.
Partey timepublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Stadium 974
Image source, BBC Sport
There was a real party atmosphere outside the ground before kick-off, which Ghana fans singing and dancing on the walk to Stadium 974.
One fan I spoke to was confident his side would score two against Portugal tonight, with Andre Ayew grabbing a goal.
Image source, BBC Sport
Ghana seek divine inspirationpublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport Africa
Image source, Getty Images
What do you do when your national team is struggling for form ahead of the World Cup?
Aside from calling up a host of new players, switching formation or changing coaches, you can always look for divine intervention.
The last option is what the government of Ghana and the country's football association (GFA) decided to do just one month before the tournament in Qatar.
Two national days of prayer and fasting were announced in the country.
Whether it can help the Black Stars squad remains to be seen, with Ghana the lowest-ranked of the 32 teams in Qatar at 61st in the world.
Read more here.
Postpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
I have to admit, it feels a bit weird typing 'former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo'...
Image source, Getty Images
Will Ghana make a statement?published at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Is this the year Africa produces a team that reaches the World Cup semi-finals for the first time? Ghana are ranked 61 in the world - below the likes of Northern Ireland, Finland and Qatar.
In January the four-time champions of Africa finished rock bottom of their group at the Africa Cup of Nations after a humiliating defeat to debutants Comoros.
Germany-born Otto Addo was appointed interim head coach in February and, after securing Ghana’s World Cup qualification, his contract was extended until December.
One of his assistants is George Boateng, while Chris Hughton has come in as technical adviser.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, PA Media
Only off to see one man...published at 15:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Stadium 974
It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Cristiano Ronaldo, in the headlines globally after his explosive interview with TalkTV, the player attacked his now former club and manager Erik ten Hag.
The 37-year-old was released from his contract on Tuesday and now without a club, is in action for Portugal at the World Cup.
This family who got off at the Ras Abu Aboud stop outside Stadium 974 are only here to see one man in action.
Image source, BBC Sport
Where next for Ronaldo?published at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
In case you have been living in a cave, Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United with immediate effect.
The decision follows a controversial interview in which the 37-year-old criticised the club and said he had "no respect" for manager Erik ten Hag.
Both parties stated that Ronaldo's exit was "mutually agreed".
Read: Fans say it will take time to forgive Ronaldo.
Team news - Ronaldo starts and is captainpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Stadium 974
Former Manchester United forward - and now free agent - Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Portugal in their 2022 World Cup opener.
The 37-year-old also takes the captain's armband.
Ronaldo's former team-mate Bruno Fernandes is in midfielder, alongside Ruben Neves of Wolves.
Manchester City duo Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias start at the back.
Portugal XI: Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Guerreiro, Neves, Otavio, Fernandes, Felix, Silva, Ronaldo.
There is plenty of English-based interest in the Ghana side too. Former West Ham and Swansea front man Andre Ayew skippers the side, the striker plays his club football just a few miles from here at Al Sadd.
Leicester's Daniel Amartey, Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, Reading full-back Baba Rahman and Arsenal's Thomas Partey all start.
Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey is on the bench.
Ghana XI: Zigi, Amartey, Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Rahman, Abdul Samed, Partey, Kudus, Williams, Ayew.
Black Stars & superstarspublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Image source, Reuters
It's Thursday which usually means games like Qarabag against Gent in the Europa Conference League.
But this is no ordinary Thursday. This is a World Cup Thursday.
We've just seen Luis Suarez, Son Hueng-min and Darwin Nunez in action.
Later today Neymar and Brazil launch their campaign for world domination.
But for the next two or three hours it's all about CR7 and Portugal. Will Ghana - nicknamed the Black Stars - add to the growing list of upsets in Qatar?
World famous free agentpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2022
Portugal v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty Images
Five Champions League titles, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, five Ballon d'Ors...
Cristiano Ronaldo's list of achievements is endless yet there are two things missing from his outstanding CV - a World Cup winners' medal and a club to go back to when the curtain comes down on Qatar.
His FIFTH and final World Cup campaign starts today. Will it end in glory on 18 December and a flurry of offers for a player who turns 38 in three months?