World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 24, 2022 at 4pm UK

Portugal
3 - 2
Ghana

Ronaldo (65' pen.), Felix (78'), Leao (80')
Pereira (90+1'), Fernandes (90+5')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Ayew (73'), Bukari (89')
Kudus (45+1'), Ayew (49'), Seidu (57'), Williams (90+1')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Portugal to be confident of beating Ghana

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: November 23 2022 | 09:22

Last updated: November 24 2022 | 00:48

Ahead of Portugal's World Cup 2022 Group H opener with Ghana, Sports Mole looks at three reasons for A Selecao to be confident of picking up all three points.

Still yet to add a gleaming World Cup trophy to their cabinet, Portugal kick off their Group H run versus Ghana on Thursday afternoon.

Fernando Santos's side could only reach the last 16 of the tournament in the 2018 edition - two years after conquering the continent at Euro 2016 - while they fell to Belgium in the last 16 of Euro 2020.

Much of A Selecao's preparations for the Qatar tournament have been overshadowed by the Cristiano Ronaldo saga - which should now come to an end following his exit from Manchester United by mutual agreement - but they will undoubtedly head into Thursday's game as firm favourites.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at three reasons for Portugal to be confident of beating Ghana at Stadium 974.

RONALDO'S GROUP PROWESS

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured during Portugal training on November 19, 2022 © Reuters

A massive weight has now been lifted off the shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo, who may very well have accelerated his Manchester United exit following his controversial interview to lessen the impact on his Portugal side.

The 37-year-old enters the tournament as a free agent - not many people would have been anticipating that scenario a few months ago - but his penchant for goals in the group stage has been apparent since his World Cup debut in 2006.

Indeed, Ronaldo has scored seven goals at the World Cup finals, and all seven have come in the group stage, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner yet to make the net ripple in the knockout rounds.

Ronaldo unsurprisingly holds the record of the highest group-stage scorer without a single goal in the last 16 or beyond, and he came up with four goals in three group games in 2018, including a hat trick against Spain.

One of Ronaldo's seven World Cup strikes came in Portugal's only previous meeting with Ghana in 2014 - which A Selecao won 2-1 - and the veteran has more than one motivation to get off to a fast start as he searches for a new stomping ground.

DEFENSIVE ACUMEN

Portugal's Diogo Dalot celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on September 24, 2022 © Reuters

Boasting a plethora of household names in defence, Portugal come into the 2022 World Cup with quite the rearguard record from their recent matches, conceding a mere three goals in their last eight games.

The 2016 European champions ultimately missed out on a spot in the Nations League finals to Spain, but their 1-0 losses to La Roja and Switzerland - as well as another 1-1 draw with the former - were the only three goals they conceded in six tournament matches.

All five of Portugal's most recent victories have been accompanied by a clean sheet, including a dominant 4-0 friendly win over Nigeria last week, which they achieved without the ill Ronaldo leading the line.

A 39-year-old Pepe is still a formidable force in the heart of the Portugal defence, while the likes of Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo are also at Santos's disposal, as well as 19-year-old Benfica protege Antonio Silva.

WILY FERNANDO SANTOS

Having now celebrated his eighth anniversary as Portugal manager, Fernando Santos possesses the knowhow when it comes to group-stage games in major tournaments, which certainly bodes well for those in red.

During Portugal's three major tournaments under the tutelage of the 68-year-old - Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and the 2018 World Cup - they have progressed to the knockout rounds each time, albeit while failing to make waves in the following stages.

Santos's side memorably failed to win any of their three group games at Euro 2016 before going all the way, but Portugal have only lost one of their nine group matches with Santos at the helm, which came against Germany at Euro 2020.

A Selecao also went through the group stage at the 2017 Confederations Cup without suffering defeat, and while Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea will all have something to say about that, Santos's experience of top-two finishes will come in handy here.