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The much-awaited-match Group H game between Portugal and Ghana got underway in the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Thursday. The crowd were eager to watch the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo in action. The match turned out to be an exhilarating affair as Portugal won by the margin of 3-2. However, the game was also marred by controversy.
Portugal were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute when Cristiano Ronaldo was knocked over by Mohammed Salisu. The incident was referred to VAR by the United States referee Armando Villarreal. Replays revealed that Ronaldo definitely got to the ball first ahead of Salisu before there was contact on the Portugal striker’s boot and upper body.
Even though this could certainly be considered a soft penalty, we have to look at it in VAR terms; it would not be seen as a clear and obvious error by the match referee, fellow American official Ismail Elfath. Equally, if the referee hadn’t given the penalty, it’s unlikely the VAR would have advised a spot kick.
If Salisu had gotten to the ball first before Ronaldo, this would have been grounds for a full review, but unfortunately for the Ghana defender, he failed to do so.
Coming back to the match, Portugal got the first win of the tournament under their belt on Friday beating Ghana by 3-2. Quick-fire goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao helped them to victory at Stadium 974.
As Cristiano Ronaldo put his side ahead in the 65th minute with the penalty, he became the first male player to score at five World Cups. Ghana’s Andre Ayew equalized the score in the 73rd minute, but Portugal responded with 78th-minute and 80th-minute efforts from Felix and Leao. A late effort from Osman Bukari turned the game on its head to make things interesting but Portugal managed to register a win.
With this win, Portugal climbed to the top of the table in Group H. Wales and Iran lock horns with each other in Group B encounter today.
