Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five Fifa World Cups as Portugal began their campaign with a thrilling victory over Ghana.
Ronaldo was playing for the first time since his controversial television interview last week and his subsequent release by Manchester United following the comments.
And the 37-year-old scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, hammering in after being tripped in the box by Ghana's Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu.
Captain Ronaldo had a couple of chances early on but a low shot was smothered by Lawrence Ati-Zigi and he also headed wide at the far post.
The forward had a goal disallowed for a push on Alexander Djiku while at the other end, Ghana did not have a single shot in the opening period.
The Ghanaians improved in the second period, with Mohammed Kudus drilling narrowly wide of the far post and got their reward when Andre Ayew equalised from close range.
But Portugal responded with two goals in two minutes to seal the points - Joao Felix converting a delightfully clipped finish and substitute Rafael Leao coolly stroking in just seconds after coming on.
Osman Bukari headed in a late consolation for Ghana and there could have been real drama in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa put the ball on the floor in readiness to kick it upfield, seemingly unaware Inaki Williams was behind him, but after racing to intercept the ball, the Ghana forward slipped at the crucial moment and a scuffed shot was cleared off the line.
Victory means Portugal top Group H after Uruguay and South Korea played out a goalless draw earlier on Thursday.
- Relive Portugal's victory over Ghana
Ronaldo hogs the headlines again
The focus before this game was on just one man - Ronaldo.
The veteran forward came into the tournament with a cloud over his head following the explosive TalkTV interview where he said he felt "betrayed" by Manchester United.
Unhappy with what he had to say, the Premier League club initiated a process to terminate his contract, which was confirmed on Tuesday.
But the player will be in the headlines for all the right reasons this time, as he surpassed the great Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose to stand on his own by scoring at five different editions of the tournament.
Supporters were on their feet in anticipation every time Ronaldo got anywhere near the ball and they erupted when his strike from the penalty spot in the second half - which came after relatively easy missed opportunities in the opening period - hit the back of the net.
It was also a record-extending 118th international goal, which includes eight in the group stage of the World Cup, though he is the player with the most strikes without netting in the knockout stage.
Former West Ham and Swansea striker Ayew levelled from Mohammed Kudus' cutback to extend Ghana's run of scoring in their last six World Cup games.
Felix's sumptuous finish and Leao's nerveless effort looked to have sealed the points for Portugal with 10 minutes remaining.
Substitute Bukari headed in and celebrated with Ronaldo's 'Siu'. Otto Addo's side would have been delighted with a draw and almost got it, but for Williams' slip.
Player of the match
LampteyTariq Lamptey
with an average of 7.62
- PortugalPortugalPortugal
- GhanaGhanaGhana
Portugal
Avg
Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes
Average rating
6.93
Squad number15Player nameRafael Leão
Average rating
6.89
Squad number10Player nameBernardo Silva
Average rating
6.58
Squad number18Player nameRúben Neves
Average rating
6.43
Squad number11Player nameJoão Félix
Average rating
6.31
Squad number4Player nameRúben Dias
Average rating
6.29
Squad number14Player nameWilliam Carvalho
Average rating
6.07
Squad number20Player nameJoão Cancelo
Average rating
5.95
Squad number6Player nameJoão Palhinha
Average rating
5.93
Squad number17Player nameJoão Mário
See AlsoRonaldo a 'total genius' for winning penalty'Ronaldo reduced to role of superstar nobody wants''He plays how he wants' - is Ronaldo undroppable?Has Cristiano Ronaldo won the World Cup? History of Portugal captain in men's FIFA tournaments | Sporting NewsAverage rating
5.89
Squad number7Player nameCristiano Ronaldo
Average rating
5.89
Squad number5Player nameRaphaël Guerreiro
Average rating
5.86
Squad number25Player nameOtávio
Average rating
5.85
Squad number26Player nameGonçalo Ramos
Average rating
5.76
Squad number13Player nameDanilo Pereira
Average rating
5.75
Squad number22Player nameDiogo Costa
Average rating
5.43
Ghana
Avg
Squad number2Player nameLamptey
Average rating
7.62
Squad number5Player namePartey
Average rating
6.92
Squad number10Player nameA Ayew
Average rating
6.83
Squad number20Player nameKudus
Average rating
6.78
Squad number4Player nameSalisu
Average rating
6.62
Squad number1Player nameAti-Zigi
Average rating
6.57
Squad number25Player namesem*nyo
Average rating
6.53
Squad number18Player nameAmartey
See AlsoCristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup: goals, assists, appearances, awards, best team finish...Average rating
6.52
Squad number17Player nameBaba
Average rating
6.51
Squad number11Player nameBukari
Average rating
6.50
Squad number21Player nameAbdul Samed
Average rating
6.41
Squad number23Player nameDjiku
Average rating
6.38
Squad number26Player nameSeidu
Average rating
6.35
Squad number19Player nameWilliams
Average rating
6.32
Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
Average rating
6.28
Squad number8Player nameKyereh
Average rating
6.21
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Portugal
Formation 4-3-3
22Diogo Costa
20Cancelo4Rúben Dias13Danilo5Guerreiro
10Bernardo Silva18Neves25Otávio
8Bruno Fernandes7Cristiano Ronaldo11João Félix
- 22Diogo Costa
- 20Cancelo
- 4Rúben Dias
- 13DaniloBooked at 90mins
- 5Guerreiro
- 10Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forJoão Palhinhaat 88'minutes
- 18NevesSubstituted forRafael Leãoat 77'minutes
- 25OtávioSubstituted forWilliam Carvalhoat 56'minutes
- 8Bruno FernandesBooked at 90mins
- 7Cristiano RonaldoSubstituted forGonçalo Ramosat 88'minutes
- 11João FélixSubstituted forJoão Márioat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Rui Patrício
- 2Dalot
- 3Pepe
- 6João Palhinha
- 9André Silva
- 12Sá
- 14William Carvalho
- 15Rafael Leão
- 16Vitinha
- 17João Mário
- 21Ricardo Horta
- 23Nunes
- 24António Silva
- 26Gonçalo Ramos
Ghana
Formation 5-3-2
1Ati-Zigi
26Seidu18Amartey23Djiku4Salisu17Baba
5Partey21Abdul Samed20Kudus
10A Ayew19Williams
- 1Ati-Zigi
- 26SeiduBooked at 57minsSubstituted forLampteyat 66'minutes
- 18Amartey
- 23DjikuSubstituted forKyerehat 90+2'minutes
- 4Salisu
- 17Baba
- 5Partey
- 21Abdul SamedSubstituted forsem*nyoat 90+2'minutes
- 20KudusBooked at 45minsSubstituted forBukariat 77'minutes
- 10A AyewBooked at 49minsSubstituted forJ Ayewat 77'minutes
- 19WilliamsBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Lamptey
- 3Odoi
- 6Owusu
- 7Fatawu
- 8Kyereh
- 9J Ayew
- 11Bukari
- 12Danlad
- 13Afriyie
- 14Mensah
- 15Aidoo
- 16Nurudeen
- 22Sulemana
- 24Sowah
- 25sem*nyo
- Referee:
- Ismail Elfath
- Attendance:
- 42,662
Match Stats
Home TeamPortugalAway TeamGhana
- Possession
- Home62%
- Away38%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Match ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Osman Bukari (Ghana) right footed shot from long range on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
Post update
Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Amartey (Ghana).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Rafael Leão (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Palhinha.
Booking
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).
Post update
Osman Bukari (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Osman Bukari (Ghana).
Substitution
Substitution, Ghana. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh replaces Alexander Djiku.
Substitution
Substitution, Ghana. Antoine sem*nyo replaces Salis Abdul Samed.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mohammed Salisu (Ghana) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Thomas Partey.
Booking
Danilo Pereira (Portugal) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Danilo Pereira (Portugal).
Post update
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Portugal 3, Ghana 2. Osman Bukari (Ghana) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. João Palhinha replaces Bernardo Silva.
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