dpa
Doha
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana in their Group H opener in Qatar on Thursday.
Portugal now lead the group ahead of South Korea and Uruguay, who played out a goalless draw in the earlier game. Ghana sit bottom.
Ronaldo, who had a goal ruled out in the first half, has now scored in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament.
The win also meant Portugal started the World Cup with a triumph for the first time since 2006 in Germany.
Portugal dominated in the first half but were largely harmless and only broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. In what possibly looked like a dive, Ronaldo fell down inside the box, was awarded a penalty and didn’t miss his chance to write history.
Ghana - who were well-organized throughout the game - saw Mohammed Kudus from distance force Diogo Costa to make a superb save, but scored the first goal for an African nation in Qatar shortly after as they levelled through Andre Ayew in the 73rd.
But the celebrations of the Ghanaian fans didn’t last long as João Felix put Portugal back in the lead just five minutes later and Rafael Leão added a third in the 80th, while Osman Bukari’s effort for Ghana cut the deficit. In stoppage time, Inaki Williams had the chance to equalize after the Portugal keeper let go of the ball inside the box with Williams behind him.
But he slipped at the crucial moment and the Portuguese defence cleared the ball.
Ronaldo, who was visibly emotional during the national anthem, was substituted off and gave instructions to his team-mates from the bench during the final minutes.
"The 3-2 made no sense,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. His side were "very organized” in the first half and had "a good” second half, but then "we conceded goals that came out of nowhere.”
He added: "These are an important three points. I wasn’t interested in a draw. One more victory and we can move ahead.”
Defender Raphael Guerreiro remarked: "We’re on a good path to becoming world champions.”