Cristiano Ronaldo is the second oldest player to score at the World CupCristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at five Fifa World Cups as Portugal began their campaign with a thrilling victory over Ghana.
Ronaldo was playing for the first time since his controversial television interview last week and his subsequent release by Manchester United following the comments.
And the 37-year-old scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, hammering in after being tripped in the box by Ghana's Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu.
Captain Ronaldo had a couple of chances early on but a low shot was smothered by Lawrence Ati-Zigi and he also headed wide at the far post.
The forward had a goal disallowed for a push on Alexander Djiku while at the other end, Ghana did not have a single shot in the opening period.
The Africans improved in the second period as Mohammed Kudus drilled narrowly wide of the far post and got their reward when Andre Ayew equalised from close range.
But Portugal responded with two goals in two minutes to seal the points - Joao Felix converting a delightfully clipped finish and substitute Rafael Leao coolly stroking in just seconds after coming on.
Osman Bukhari headed in a late consolation for Ghana and there could have been real drama in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa put the ball down, seemingly unaware Inaki Williams was behind him, but after racing to intercept the ball, the Ghana forward slipped at the crucial moment and a scuffed shot was cleared off the line.
Victory means Portugal top Group H after Uruguay and South Korea played out a goalless draw earlier on Thursday.
More to follow.
helpHow to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
Portugal
Squad number22Player nameDiogo Costa
Squad number20Player nameJoão Cancelo
Squad number4Player nameRúben Dias
Squad number13Player nameDanilo Pereira
Squad number5Player nameRaphaël Guerreiro
Squad number10Player nameBernardo Silva
Squad number18Player nameRúben Neves
Squad number25Player nameOtávio
Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes
Squad number7Player nameCristiano Ronaldo
Squad number11Player nameJoão Félix
Squad number6Player nameJoão Palhinha
Squad number14Player nameWilliam Carvalho
Squad number15Player nameRafael Leão
Squad number17Player nameJoão Mário
Squad number26Player nameGonçalo Ramos
Ghana
Squad number1Player nameAti-Zigi
Squad number26Player nameSeidu
Squad number18Player nameAmartey
Squad number23Player nameDjiku
Squad number4Player nameSalisu
Squad number17Player nameBaba
Squad number5Player namePartey
Squad number20Player nameKudus
Squad number21Player nameAbdul Samed
Squad number10Player nameA Ayew
Squad number19Player nameWilliams
Squad number2Player nameLamptey
Squad number8Player nameKyereh
Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
Squad number11Player nameBukari
Squad number25Player nameSemenyo
Line-ups
Portugal
Formation 4-3-3
22Meireles da Costa
20Cancelo4Rúben Dias13Danilo5Guerreiro
10Bernardo Silva18Neves25Otávio
8Bruno Fernandes7Cristiano Ronaldo11Félix Sequeira
22Meireles da Costa20Cancelo4Rúben Dias13DaniloBooked at 90mins5Guerreiro10Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forJoão Palhinhaat 88'minutes18NevesSubstituted forda Conceição Leãoat 77'minutes25OtávioSubstituted forWilliam Carvalhoat 56'minutes8Bruno FernandesBooked at 90mins7Cristiano RonaldoSubstituted forMatias Ramosat 88'minutes11Félix SequeiraSubstituted forJoão Márioat 88'minutesSubstitutes
1Rui Patrício2Dalot3Pepe6João Palhinha9André Silva12Sá14William Carvalho15da Conceição Leão16Vitinha17João Mário21da Luz Horta23Nunes24Pereira de Albuquerque Tavares da Silva26Matias RamosGhana
Formation 5-3-2
1Ati-Zigi
26Seidu18Amartey23Djiku4Salisu17Baba
5Partey20Kudus21Abdul Samed
10A Ayew19Williams
1Ati-Zigi26SeiduBooked at 57minsSubstituted forLampteyat 66'minutes18Amartey23DjikuSubstituted forSemenyoat 90+2'minutes4Salisu17Baba5Partey20KudusBooked at 45minsSubstituted forBukariat 77'minutes21Abdul SamedSubstituted forKyerehat 90+2'minutes10A AyewBooked at 49minsSubstituted forJ Ayewat 77'minutes19WilliamsBooked at 90minsSubstitutes
2Lamptey3Odoi6Owusu7Fatawu8Kyereh9J Ayew11Bukari12Danlad13Afriyie14Mensah15Aidoo16Nurudeen22Sulemana24Sowah25SemenyoReferee:Ismail ElfathAttendance:42,662Live Text
Match ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
Second Half ends, Portugal 3, Ghana 2.
Attempt missed. Osman Bukari (Ghana) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Daniel Amartey (Ghana).
Attempt blocked. Rafael Leão (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Palhinha.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).
Osman Bukari (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Osman Bukari (Ghana).
Substitution, Ghana. Antoine Semenyo replaces Alexander Djiku.
Substitution, Ghana. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh replaces Salis Abdul Samed.
Attempt missed. Mohammed Salisu (Ghana) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Thomas Partey.
Danilo Pereira (Portugal) is shown the yellow card.
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Danilo Pereira (Portugal).
Iñaki Williams (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! Portugal 3, Ghana 2. Osman Bukari (Ghana) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
Substitution, Portugal. Gonçalo Ramos replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
