Portugal vs Ghana: Ronaldo’s swansong rests on victory over Ghana
Much as in the news, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been dominating his nation’s football as of late. But all good things, even World Cup careers that will go down in history, must come to an end.
And this makes this World Cup especially noteworthy, for Ronaldo himself, for Portugal, and the millions of fans who see the man from Madeira as one of the greatest to have ever played the game.
It also piles on the pressure for the Portuguese team facing Ghana, looking to give its nation’s greatest player send off worthy of a legend.
Questions Remain
A World Cup victory would be ideal, but many doubt Portugal’s quality is enough to go all the way.
Ronaldo and Fernando Santos, for all their experience, give reason to doubt their team’s ability to succeed. The brand of football under Santos is seen as uninspiring, while the suggestion that veteran Ronaldo stands in the way of emerging talent holds great weight, at Manchester United or on the international stage.
Ghana, meanwhile, beat Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup and are hoping that coach Otto Addo, working on a part-time basis, will be able to put controversies around the Ayew brothers playing up-front and begin a World Cup ampaign to remember for Ghana.
Team news
Ronaldo may have missed the warm-up win over Nigeria, but he is widely expected to start in Doha, even despite Joao Felix’s impressive performance.
Santos has a number of other decisions to make in attack, with Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao expected to start over Goncalo Ramos and Ricardo Horta. Diogo Costa is favourite to start over Rui Patricio as keeper.
After only recently being eligible to play for Ghana, Tariq Lamptey will likely start. Inaki Williams is almost certain to be flanked by the Ayew brothers.
Head to head
Portugal wins: 1
Draws: 0
Ghana wins: 0
