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Portugal national football team
Under-20s World Cup | Round of 16
Jul 3, 2013 at 4pm UK
 
Ghana national football team

2-3

Emanuel Ferreira, le
FT

Live Commentary: Portugal 2-3 Ghana - as it happened

Live coverage of the round-of-16 match between Portugal and Ghana at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.
2

Ghana progressed to the quarter-finals at the Under-20 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Ghana.

Kennedy Ashia game the Africa wide the lead in the first half, but two goals in three minutes helped Portugal edge ahead in the second half.

Edgar Ie got the Ghanaians back on level terms, heading in from a corner, before an 85th-minute free kick from Yiadom Boakye secured the win.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon. Portugal and Ghana play for a place in the quarter-finals at the Under-20 World Cup in just under half an hour. Let's take a look at the starting lineups for today's match...

PORTUGAL STARTING XI: Jose Sa, Ferreira, Ilori, Mica, Agostinho Ca, Ricardo, Jaoa Mario, Aladje, Bruma, Edgar Ie, Andre Comes

GHANA STARTING XI: Anti, Attamah, Baba, Acheampong, Salifu, Aboagye, Nketiah, Lartey, Ashia, Assifuah, Odjer

Both countries are previous winners of the Under-20 World Cup. Ghana last lifted the trophy in 2009, while Portugal won back-to-back tournaments in 1989 and 1991, and were the beaten finalists last time around.

Ghana have played Portugal once before at the Under-20 World Cup, taking a 2-0 win on that occasion. The Black Stars have never failed to progress to the quarter-finals, and, prior to this year, had never lost a match in the group stage.

Aladje and Bruma were the stars of Group B for Portugal, stretching their opponents with their blistering pace up front. At 18, Bruma is the second-youngest member of the Portuguese squad.

Aladje is one of only three players in the Portugal squad to play their club football outside of their home country. The 19-year-old plays for Italian side FC Aprilia, while Agostinho Ca and Edgar Ie are with La Liga champions Barcelona.

Conditions at the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri are good for this afternoon's match. The pitch is dry, there's next to no wind and the temperature is around 27C, which is much lower than some other matches have experienced in this tournament.

The winner of this match will face the winner of the other 4pm kickoff in the quarter-finals. Croatia take on Chile for a place in the last eight.

Although largely made up of players from Ghanaian clubs, there is also a European feel to the Ghana squad, with players from teams in Germany, Italy, Belgium and Israel also represented.

Ghana had to rely on their goal difference to get out of Group A, but they were in one of the more competitive groups, facing Spain and France in their opening three matches. Portugal had an easier run, but should face a stern test this afternoon.

The players are on the pitch, with the anthems due to take place before kickoff in a couple of minutes.

All the formalities are over and the players are getting into formation ready to get the first half underway.

Portugal kick off the match.

CHANCE! Portugal go on the attack straight away, with Bruma running down the wing before crossing in to Aladje, but the striker slices the ball over the crossbar. Ghana were left rooted to the spot as the duo tore through their defence.

Aladje breaks into the box again looking to make amends for his 12th-second miss, but Ghana were able to force the ball out for a corner, which Antwi was able to clear comfortably.

Bruma is causing all sorts of problems up front for Portugal as he bears down on the Ghana goal again, winning his side another corner, this time Attamah is their to make the clearance.

Ghana finally get the ball, with Nketiah winning a throw in, helping his team press into Portugal's half for the first time, but Edgar Ie forces a mistake from Baba to win a throw in for Portugal. It's been a lively, high-pace start by both teams.

Ghana win their first corner of the match, but a poor delivery from Salifu allows Jose Sa to claim the ball. It's the first time that the Portugal goal keeper has been called into action. Ghana are certainly getting more of the ball now than in the opening five minutes, but they're yet to really ask any questions of their opponents.

Assifuah picks up the ball on the edge of the box but Joao Mario is able to get to the ball first, giving Ghana their second corner of the game. Nketiah's delivery finds the head of Aboagye, but he can only head to ball over the bar. The African side are starting to look more dangerous.

CHANCE! Portugal look to calm the Ghana storm by going on the attack, and Mario almost breaks the deadlock with a superb strike from the edge of the box, but Antwi just gets his fingertips to it to tip the ball wide for a corner, which is cleared by Baba.

CHANCE! Aladje gets another sight at goal, and this time his header is on target, but Antwi manages to block the striker's attempt before getting his body on the ball, preventing Aladje from having another shot.

CHANCE! Sa has to make a save for the first time, as Odjer sends in a rocket from 25-yards out, but the Portugal keeper manages to catch the 16-year-old's effort. This is end-to-end stuff at the moment, and both teams look like they have plenty of goals in them this afternoon.

CHANCE! Bruma has been creating chances for his teammates so far, but finally has an effort at goal himself, and almost breaks the deadlock, but for a fine save from Antwi. Ghana immediately go on the counter attack, with Assifuah coming close at the other end just moments later.

GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Ghana (Ashia)

What a stunning strike from Kennedy Ashia! The 19-year-old picks up the ball from Assifuah just outside the penalty area, and the striker lashes it in to give Ghana the lead.

There's an added sense of urgency to Portugal's play now. They were well on top in the early moments, and have had plenty of chances to secure the opening goal, but they've let their opponents back into the match and have now paid the price. Bruma is continuing to find plenty of gaps in the Ghana defence though

Ghana are continuing to press, but the Portuguese back four look well organised and are able to slow down their opponents. Assifuah looks surprised not to get a free kick when he's brought down by Ferreira, but the referee says there was no foul

BOOKING! Thiago Ilori is the first player to be shown a yellow card after he carelessly brought down Assifuah in midfield. Ghana use the free kick to go for a long-range effort at goal, but it's easily taken by Sa in goal.

Ashia looks for his second, hitting the ball on the turn from around 30 yards out, but the ball strikes Mica on the way through, taking plenty of the pace off the effort, allowing Sa to comfortably collect the ball.

CHANCE! Bruma and Ie work together as they look to penetrate the Ghana penalty area. Eventually, Bruma manages to get through on goal, but his shot goes into the stands.

BOOKING! Agostinho Ca joins his teammate in the referee's book, having gone in high on Nketiah. With two players now on yellow, Portugal may have to tread carefully.

CHANCE! Ricardo pounces inside the Ghana penalty area, but Antwi is alert to the danger, making an athletic save to keep the striker's shot out.

The high tempo play which made for such entertaining football in the opening 25 minutes has just dipped a little in the last couple of minutes, with both sides struggling to keep hold of the ball.

Ghana regain their attacking focus, with Assifuah looking to go for goal again, but the ball is forced behind for a corner. Nketiah drives it in towards goal, but Sa is able to punch it away.

Ie delivers a dangerous ball for Portugal, which Attamah heads behind, giving Portugal their first corner in quite some time. Antwi comes off his line to snatch the ball from the corner. Portugal aren't looking as threatening in front of goal as they did prior to Ghana's goal.

Bruma bears down on the Ghana penalty area, but passes the ball out wide to Aladje. The striker crosses the ball back in to Bruma, but he can't control the ball, allowing Antwi to kick it clear. Baba immediately breaks, looking to apply pressure at the other end of the pitch, but a strong challenge from Mica ends the move.

There will be just the one minute of injury time before the break.

Ghana win a throw in deep in Portugal's half. Acheampong takes it short, and Portugal immediately put the ball out again. That should be all for this half.

HALF TIME: Portugal 0-1 Ghana

At half time, it's Ghana who have a slender lead after an entertaining first 45 minutes, which saw both sides create a number of chances.

Aladje will be disappointed not to have given Portugal the lead after just 12 seconds, having slices a Bruma delivery over the bar from just three yards out. The striker, who was the star of the group stages for Portugal, has looked like Portugal's best chance of a goal, but he is yet to find the back of the net.

Kennedy Ashia's 19th-minute goal was just sensational. He'd barely had a touch up until then, but made no mistake with his strike from just outside the penalty area. There've been plenty of impressive goals in this tournament, but that has to be one of very best.

Let's take a quick look at some of the stats from the first half. Portugal just edged the possession, keeping the ball for 54% of the time. The European side had 11 shots to Ghana's 10, but just three were on target, while Ghana tested Sa five times.

Portugal's discipline let them down a little towards the end of the half. They committed nine fouls, while the African side made just four. Ilori and Ca will have to be on their best behaviour in the second half, having already found themselves receiving a yellow card. Ferreira also has to be careful, as a booking this afternoon would see him miss the quarter-finals, assuming Portugal can overturn the one-goal deficit.

The other game currently taking place at the Under-20 World Cup is goalless at half time, with neither Croatia nor Chile finding the target in the first half in their game. The winner of that contest will play the winner of this match in the last eight.

The players are back on the pitch ready for the second half, and it looks like Portugal could be making some changes.

SUB! Ricardo and Agostinho Ca head off, with Ricardo Esgaio and Ricardo Alves coming off the bench.

Ghana get the second half underway.

Ghana look to make a quick start the the second period, winning a corner within a minute of the re-start. Assifuah goes for goal from Nketiah's delivery, but his effort goes well wide.

Odjer looks to have picked up an injury. The 16-year-old heads to the sideline for treatment, but seems to be able to move quite well on his own so it looks like he'll be able to head back on shortly.

Aboagye goes for goal from range. Sa looks like he had it covered, but it heads well wide of the left post. It looks like Ghana are getting ready to make a chance, so Odjer's injury may be worse than first thought.

SUB! Odjer does indeed go off, with Michael Anaba coming on for his first appearance of the tournament. It's a shame for the 16-year-old, who had looked impressive throughout this match. Hopefully it's just a precautionary measure by coach Sellas Tetteh.

Portugal are in control at the moment, keeping possession well in midfield, but Bruma and Aladje haven't had much service up front since the re-start.

CHANCE! Andre Gomes goes for goal from distance, testing Antwi for the first time in the second half, but the Ghanaian goalie leaps acrobatically to make sure the ball goes over the crossbar, before gathering the ball from the Portugal corner.

Bruma is looking dangerous on the edge of the box, and is fouled by Larter as the Ghana captain tries to prevent the Portuguese playmaker setting up an attempt on goal. Portugal get the free kick just outside the box. Alves takes the delivery, but it's blocked by Anaba, who is left rather dazed after the ball struck his face.

OFFSIDE! From another free kick, Aladje thinks he's through on goal and heads towards the target. His effort just clears the crossbar, but it wouldn't have counted anyway, as he and three of his teammates well all offside.

CHANCE! Bruma chips the ball forward for Gomes, who times his run beautifully to leave himself in a one-on-one with Antwi, but the keeper gets to the ball first, throwing himself on top of it as Gomes continues to rush in. Portugal are really pushing for the equaliser at the moment.

SUB Joseph Duncan replaces Clifford Aboagye for Ghana, providing some fresh legs in midfield for the 2009 champions.

CHANCE! Gomes tries to drill the ball in from 25 yards out, but his effort fails to find the target. The Benfica midfielder has been much more involved in the game in this half.

Portugal win a corner, which Alves takes short to Bruma. Bruma returns is to Alves who whips it in towards Ie, but the Barcelona midfielder's header is just high.

BOOKING! Anaba is the first Ghana player to pick up a yellow card, having committed a clumsy challenge on Aladje. The European side have a free kick from a dangerous area.

GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Ghana (Ferreira)

Joao Mario takes the free kick deep, catching Ghana out. Portugal keep their numbers up as Gomes delivers the ball back into the penalty area, and it's Thiago Ferreira who pops up to get the equaliser.

CHANCE! Portugal have their eye on the win now, as Bruma tries to drive the ball in, as his shot bounces off the post.

GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Ie)

What a turnaround for Portugal! Bruma's earlier shot from deflected on it's way to striking the post, giving Portugal a corner. Alves delivers it into the box and Edgar Ie climbs high above the Ghanaian defender to put Portugal in front for the first time.

SUB! Ghana respond by making their final chance, sending on a fresh striker, with goalscorer Kennedy Ashia being replaced by Yiadom Boakye.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Ghana have the ball in the back of the net again, as Assifuah slots the ball past Sa, but the keeper had already spotted the assistant referee's flag, with the Ghana striker judged to have been offside.

GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Ghana (Anaba)

Portugal looked to have numbers back with Ghana trying to get themselves back on level terms, but substitute Michael Anaba was able to find a gap in the defence, cooly slotting the ball in from just inside the penalty area. What a crazy 10 minutes it's been!

If either side look like getting a winner at the moment it's Ghana. Portugal thought they'd done enough when they scored two goals in three minutes, and have been left shell-shocked by Anaba's goal, while Ghana have been lifted by the equaliser. It'll be a tense final 10 minutes for both sides.

Portugal try to get back on the attack, but Aladje gets no support up front, and is forced to try to slice the ball in from a tricky angle, giving Antwi an easy save.

In the other game currently taking place, Chile have just scored against Croatia in the 83rd minute. The winner of that match faces the victor of this contest.

GOAL! Portugal 2-3 Ghana (Boakye)

It's a superb free kick Yiadom Boakye to restore Ghana's lead. Duncan had been brought down just outside the penalty area, giving the African side a free kick from the left-hand side of the box. The substitute expertly curled the ball in, beating the wall to put his team ahead.

SUB! It's a last-ditched change for Portugal, replacing defender Mica with striker Ivan Cavaleiro.

BOOKING! Bruma gets the ball in midfield, but is being marked closely by Anaba and drags down the Ghanaian, earning him a yellow card.

Thiago Ferreeira is now playing upfront, and makes a solid cross towards Cavaleiro, but the recently brought on forward can't get up high enough. There will be three minutes of added time.

Anaba looks to seal the result for Ghana, trying to feed the ball through to Assifuah, but he can't find a gap. Nketiah commits a fould on Gomes and picks up a yellow card.

CHANCE! Bruma gets the ball on the edge of the penalty are, and faces a tight angle to get the ball in for an equaliser, but he can't make it. That should be the last chance for Portugal.

FULL TIME: Portugal 2-3 Ghana

What a match! It was one of those occasions where either side could have won it on their day, but it was a brilliant free kick from Yiadom Boakye five minutes from time that secured Ghana a place in the quarter-finals.

Portugal will no doubt focus of the missed chances. Aladje could, and probably should, have scored after just 12 seconds, while Bruma had a chance in the dying seconds of the game. They had 20 shots in total, with eight on target.

Next up for Ghana will be Chile, who scored two goals in the last 10 minutes against Croatia to secure their spot in the last eight.

That's all from the Kadir Has Stadium this evening. Later, Colombia play South Korea and Iraq take on Paraguay in the round of 16. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.

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