17:04, Marc Mayo46 mins: Otavio makes an early run down the left as he looks to add a little spark to Portugal’s game. But that falls on deaf ears as a claim for a corner goes against the midfielder. Kick-off! 17:02, Marc MayoNo changes at the break for either side as Ghana get the ball rolling. Portugal get their crystal ball out17:00, Marc MayoIt may take more than that for a goal... In two-and-a-half games at the World Cup today we’ve had ONE goal. It’s the journalists blogging this all that I feel sorry for! Stats check16:56, Marc MayoPortugal have held 70 per cent of possession and boast seven shots to zero, two of which have been on target. Ghana certainly the happier of the two teams16:53, Marc MayoThe Black Stars will want to tidy up their play in possession and try to offer more in attack however, if they are to hold on for a valuable point.
A nice one-touch move ends in Djiku clearing a good low cross. The corner is taken quickly and a looping ball to the back post looks Ronaldo bound... WIDE! You would have backed him to score there... CHANCE PORTUGAL! 16:10, Marc Mayo10 mins: Kudus gives it away and Ronaldo is slipped in for a one-on-one. His touch is far from perfect though and Zigi comes out well to smother his shot, the ball eventually going out for a goal kick. 16:09, Marc Mayo9 mins: Ghana’s pressing game on Portugal’s centre-backs looks to have some promise, Ayew forcing Danilo into lumping clear from his box. A first chance for Kudus to get down the right flank sees him lump a hopeful cross into Williams, which Costa nabs. 16:07, Marc Mayo6 mins: Felix runs in behind and nutmegs Amartey before Partey puts a good foot in.
but we’re in Ronaldo barking orders from the dugout territory! How much added-on time will we get in added-on time? 17:54, Marc Mayo90+7 mins: Portugal win a free-kick off Amartey in the corner and can calm things right down. 17:53, Marc Mayo90+5 mins: Rafael Leao fails to make the most of a good opening, passing rather than shooting. Ghana then trouble Costa with a long ball that ends in Fernandes taking a booking.
Half time! Portugal 0-0 Ghana16:47, Marc MayoThat is the break! Portugal on top but, a couple of Ronaldo chances and a disallowed goal aside, they have failed to breach the Ghanaian defence. 16:45, Marc Mayo45 mins: Kudus is booked for fouling Cancelo and drawing a rather dramatic yelp from the full-back. We will have two minutes of stoppage time. 16:44, Marc Mayo44 mins: That Kudus lad has a touch and a half.
If this World Cup has taught us anything, it is to take your chances... 16:37, Marc Mayo38 mins: A first corner for Ghana is swung in by Kudus but Neves is there to clear. Another ball in by the Ajax man has to be turned behind the goal by Fernandes. Ghana will come again... Foul. 16:36, Marc Mayo36 mins: Felix is unhappy about being sent to the deck as Portugal draw up another move, Otavio firing a low effort straight at the goalkeeper. 16:34, Marc Mayo33 mins: More lacklustre crossing from Portugal and Zigi collects a pretty aimless Otavio ball in. The Selecao’s pressure is gently ramping up again. GGOOOAA-NO! 16:31, Marc Mayo31 mins: Ronaldo bumps off his marker and places his shot home...
Kick-off! 16:00, Marc MayoAfter Ronaldo and Ayew oversee the coin toss, with referee Ismail Elfath of MLS we kick off! PS. Apology to the historians following us, as of course the 1400s was Portugal’s golden age of exploration. Anyway, on with the game... The national anthems play out15:56, Marc MayoSomething about ‘A Portuguesa’ just makes me want to hop on a boat in the 1600s and go exploring the Atlantic. ‘God Bless Our Homeland Ghana’ follows. Here come the players! 15:53, Marc MayoIt’s time for the third game of the day as Portugal and Ghana get their World Cup campaigns underway.
Neves then nicks the ball back after Ghana try and pass it out a bit too much, slamming a shot into a defender. (REUTERS)16:05, Marc Mayo4 mins: The full-backs are very high in possession for Portugal and Cancelo puts a first cross in from the left but cannot steer it into the box, and a corner is given. Guerreiro’s ball in lands to Otavio on the edge of the box and he drags a shot well wide. 16:02, Marc Mayo2 mins: Ghana as expected start with a flat back fine, Ayew joining Williams in pressing from the front. The first pass into Ronaldo sees him trip Reading left-back Rahman to concede a free-kick.
Some delightful dribbling brings Ghana out of trouble and wins a foul. But, they give it away quickly and Cancelo’s dangerous cross evades everybody. CHANCE PORTUGAL! 16:42, Marc Mayo42 mins: It would be the perfect time to score for Portugal and Ronaldo looks for a glimpse of goal down the left. Shot blocked. Portugal come again and a big cross to the back post goes over the striker, who stops as Guerreiro fires a shot that simply bounces off Ronaldo! Felix then commits a foul in the scramble to end the chance. 16:41, Marc Mayo40 mins: That was only a momentary interlude in Portugal’s domination of the game but a lack of cutting edge means we remain goalless as half-time beckons.
(AFP via Getty Images)17:15, Marc Mayo57 mins: Booking number three for Ghana as Seidu goes through the back of Felix. Not the biggest of challenges and the Black Stars are unhappy, with a bit of a kerfuffle afterwards! Ghana players were quick to pull the defender away as he went head-to-head with Felix. CLOSE! 17:13, Marc Mayo55 mins: Ronaldo finds space down the left but cannot threaten the goalkeeper before Ghana break. It’s that man Kudus looking threatening and he rifles a shot from 25 yards only just wide! Otavio off for Carvalho.
17:57, Marc Mayo90+10 mins: Rahman’s cross from deep is well held by Costa. Then the goalkeeper almost drops the ball with Williams behind him! Somehow Portugal escape a massive scramble! 17:56, Marc Mayo90+9 mins: Bukari tries to catch Costa out with a speculative effort that flashed over the bar. A bit of a nervy moment for Portugal. Not long left now...
17:43, Marc Mayo85 mins: Portugal happy to sit back and let Ghana enjoy some fairly fruitless possession now. 17:40, Marc Mayo83 mins: Ronaldo darts in behind and Zigi produces a good stop just as the flag goes up. GGGOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Portugal 3-1 Ghana | Leao17:37, Marc Mayo79 mins: THAT SURELY IS THAT! Fernandes races clear and rolls in Leao to his left, who places a neat effort past Zigi. Portugal set for the three points! GGGOOOOAAALLLL!! Portugal 2-1 Ghana | Felix17:35, Marc Mayo78 mins: IS THAT THE WINNER?! Rahman gets caught failing to intercept a ball forward and Felix steals in, deftly chipping the goalkeeper for 2-1! Ghana substitutions17:34, Marc Mayo76 mins: Kudus’ fine race is run, Bukari replaces the midfielder.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads out the Selecao ahead of playing in his fifth World Cup - a very exclusive club of only five other players, The atmosphere is building! 15:48, Marc MayoSome great fans in the stadium ready for this one. Portugal and Ghana’s last meeting15:44, Marc MayoIn fact, their only meeting came at the 2014 World Cup group stage as Cristiano Ronaldo hit his 50th national goal to win the game late on. Not a huge celebration though, as both teams were knocked out with the result! Ghana out to represent Africa15:38, Marc MayoEven with a couple of promising draws to their name, the four African teams to have played before Ghana at this World Cup are yet to score... Will that change this evening? Warm-ups underway15:32, Marc MayoWe’re just half an hour away from kick-off in Doha! (Getty Images)Why is it called Stadium 974? 15:27, Marc MayoWith 974 recycled shipping containers making up its construction, today’s venue is said to be the first reusable World Cup stadium.
[LIVESTREAMZ!!] Today: Portugal vs Ghana Live Broadcast
Joao Felix restored Portugal's lead five minutes later, however, and Bruno Fernandes then showed his class with a jinking run before sliding a pass to Rafael Leao to leave Ghana stunned. Osman Bukari's 89th-minute headed reply set up an anxious ending for Portugal but they survived nine minutes of stoppage time to win their opening game of a World Cup for the first time in their last four appearances.
Portugal vs Ghana highlightsGOAL! Ronaldo from the spotGOAL! Ayew hits backGOAL! Felix puts Portugal back aheadGOAL! Leao seals itGOAL! Bukari gives late hopePortugal 3 - 2 GhanaThanks for joining us! 18:49, Marc MayoA truly memorable World Cup clash between Portugal and Ghana goes the way of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Selecao. Not had enough football? Head to our live blog of Brazil vs Serbia. And you can recap the action from this game with our match report! (AFP via Getty Images)Now that’s how it’s done! 18:40, Marc MayoOsman Bukari pulled out his own ‘SIU! '18:29, Marc Mayo7/10 for effort, 6/10 for execution and a 3/10 for timing given Ghana were still behind when he did it. Still, always fun to see players attempt to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration in front of him! Ghana vow to bounce back18:23, Marc MayoThey face South Korea next up, on Monday afternoon.
Portugal Ghana - FIFA World Cup :: Live Soccer TV
Portugal vs Ghana: How to watch live, stream link, team news