Portugal 2-1 Ghana: Honorable victory
Portugal won, Ronaldo scored. But it was all for naught as the ticket to the next round still belonged to the US. Ronaldo and his teammates said goodbye to the World Cup with an honorable 2-1 victory over Ghana.
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| Ronaldo scored but could not help Portugal advance |
GOAL
Portugal:Boye (own goal 31'), Ronaldo (80')
Ghana: Gyan (57')
Both Portugal and Ghana had to win to have any hope of advancing. This led to an open game of tit-for-tat between the two teams. Portugal, with the better squad, controlled the match. All eyes were on Ronaldo and the 29-year-old star showed his class by constantly threatening the African team's goal. As early as the 5th minute, the Real Madrid player had an unbelievable shot from the right wing that hit the crossbar of Ghana's goal.
Right after that warning, Ronaldo had another tricky free kick that forced the opposing goalkeeper to work hard to block. It was clear to see the desire to score in Ronaldo's great efforts. He moved tirelessly and took advantage of every opportunity to shoot. In the 18th minute, the player wearing the number 7 shirt almost opened the score with a close-range header, but unfortunately the ball went straight to goalkeeper Dauda. While the chance to score escaped Ronaldo, luck knocked on Portugal's door.
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| Ghana players played very hard in this match. |
In the 30th minute, Veloso crossed from the left and John Boye clumsily blocked the ball into his own net. The score of 1-0 reflected the situation in the first half when Portugal played better and had more chances. However, in the second half, Ghana began to show their physical advantage. The better rushing ability of the African players helped them find the Portuguese goal.
In the 50th minute, Gyan shot from a long range but missed the post. But not long after, the Ghana captain jumped in to tap the ball in to equalize 1-1 after Asamoah's precise cross. Excited, the African players continuously threatened goalkeeper Beto's goal. A great opportunity came in the 60th minute when Waris headed the ball close to the goal but it went just wide of the post. Ghana will have to regret that situation because in the 80th minute, Ronaldo increased the score to 2-1 with a powerful shot in the penalty area.
The final score was 2-1 in favor of Portugal. However, this victory could not help Ronaldo and his teammates advance because they still had a lower goal difference than the United States, who lost 0-1 to Germany in the same match. Anyway, Portugal still had an honorable victory before returning home.
LINEUP
Portugal:Beto (Eduardo 89'), Bruno Alves, Pepe, Veloso, Pereira (Varela 61'), Carvalho, Amorim, Moutinho, Eder (Vieirinha 69'), Ronaldo, Nani.
Ghana:Dauda, Rabiu (Afriyie 78'), Afful, Mensah, Asamoah, Badu, Boye, Atsu, A.Ayew (Wasako 82'), Waris (J.Ayew 71'), Gyan.
