FIFA Men's World Cup

World Cup 2022 highlights: Portugal escapes Ghana, 3-2

Updated Nov. 24, 2022 1:10 p.m. ET

The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Thursday with Portugal narrowly outlasting Ghana, 3-2, at Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud, Qatar, picking up three points in Group H with the win.

It marks Portugal's first World Cup victory in an opening match since 2006, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored once Thursday, made history as the first men's player to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Earlier, Switzerland earned three points in Group G after taking care of business against Cameroon, winning 1-0 to open the day, while Uruguay and South Korea battled to a scoreless draw in the day's second match. Both squads grabbed one point in Group H for their efforts.

You can watch this game and every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament's official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.

Portugal vs. Ghana Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup

It was Portugal's first win in an opening game of the WC since 2006.

Here are the top plays.

Portugal 3, Ghana 2

22': Air Ronaldo arrives

Ronaldo had a chance to put Portugal in the lead early with this header, but he wasn't able to connect. He did catch some air in the process though.

30': Goal called off

Ronaldo connected with the net at the half-hour mark, but the goal was promptly called off due to a foul on Ghana defender Alexander Djiku. Just like that, things remained scoreless headed into halftime.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal vs. Ghana overturned by a foul call

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal was overturned by a foul call in Portugal's matchup with Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup during the 30th minute after a foul call.

57': Seeing yellow

Things quickly got heated in the second half. Ghana's André Ayew was shown the yellow card in the 49th minute, followed by teammate Alidu Seidu receiving a yellow card after contact with Portugal's João Félix.

65': Goal!

Ronaldo scored on a penalty kick to put Portugal up 1-0 in the 65th minute, becoming the first men's player to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores goal vs. Ghana in 62'

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal for Portugal in the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup.

73': Ghana ties it

Portugal's lead was short-lived, as Ayew connected with the net in the 73rd minute to knot things up, 1-1.

Ghana's André Ayew scores goal vs. Portugal in 73'

André Ayew's second-half goal ties Portugal in the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup.

78': Portugal responds

Félix, assisted by Bruno Fernandes, came up with a big second-half goal to put Portugal back in the lead, 2-1.

Portugal's João Félix scores goal vs. Ghana in 77'

João Félix scores a second-half goal vs. Ghana in the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup.

80': All gas, no brake

Two minutes later, Rafael Leão punched one in for Portugal following a fast break to extend their lead, 3-1.

Portugal's Rafael Leão scores goal vs. Ghana in 80'

Rafael Leão scores a goal against Ghana in the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup.

89': Ghana keeps it close

Ghana midfielder Osman Bukari closed the gap slightly in the final few minutes, 3-2, with a header.

It wasn't enough to spark a comeback, however, and things ended there.

Ghana's Osman Bukari scores goal vs. Portugal in 89'

Osman Bukari scores a goal against Portugal in the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup.

PREGAME

Setting the stage

All eyes were on Portuguese superstar Ronaldo as he took the field Thursday.

The 37-year-old sent shock waves through the sports world this week when news broke that he left his club, Manchester United, by mutual consent, and that he was suspended and fined by the Football Association for two matches with whatever club he lands with next. Ronaldo skipped his media duties as national team captain at the squad’s official FIFA news conference Thursday, but fans still poured in to support the star.

History in the making

Ronaldo., who tied the men’s record for playing in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments with Thursday's start, became emotional as Portugal's national song, "A Portuguesa," blasted through the stadium ahead of all the action.