The world cup finally has seen all 32 teams play and last night was nothing sort of extraordinary with some amazing football you could ask for as a football fan.
Switzerland win, Uruguay battle Korea for a Draw
The day began with Switzerland taking on Cameroon, in a match with full on tactical plays and some amazing counter attacks, but it was Switzerland who ultimately came away with the win with Breel Emboli scoring early in the second half to give Switzerland, and he refused to celebrate against Cameroon as his father is from that country and he could’ve opted to play for them instead too.
Uruguay vs South Korea saw some fast paced football with both teams not holding back and going for it, which was a treat for the football World to watch all round the globe.
Although the match ended in a draw, the entire crowd was on the edge of the dear as Uruguay came the closest to scoring in the last half with Real Madrid’s F. Valverde almost scored for the South American team, only for it to hit the post, resulting in both teams going back with a point each.
Ronaldo makes History as Portugal beat Ghana in a crazy second half
Cristiano Ronaldo never stops breaking records, and with him staring for Portugal, he joined a list of very few players who have played in 5 different world cups.
After an slow paced and tactical first half, all bets were off in the second half as we were treated to 5 goals in the span of 45 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo earned a penalty after the Ghana defense fouled him in the 65th minute, and of course the best penalty taker in the world converted it, making him the FIRST ever player to score in 5 different world cups!
Some fun facts regarding the match
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal in the 2006 worldcup
- His teammate Joao Felix was SIX years old at that time
- His other teammate Rafael Leao was SEVEN years old then
- This makes Ronaldo the youngest and the oldest scorer in Portugal worldcup history.
- No player has gotten more man of the match awards at world cup than cristiano Ronaldo (7)
Crazy drama until the very last minute
It wasn’t long before Ghana managed to Equalize with Andre Ayew scoring in the 73rd minute, but Portugal would pick up the pace instantly with Joao Felix and Rafael Leao scoring in the 78th and 80th minute respectively!
Ghana managed to get one back and this is the goal everyone would be talking about, not because Osman Bukari scored, but because he decided to copy both of Ronaldo’s celebration while being 2-3 down, mocking the Portuguese legend.
And the drama wouldn’t end there, Ghana almost equalised as their Goalkeeper D. Costa had zero awareness as he let Inaki Williams sneak behind him from HIS OWN GOAL as he was kicking the ball off in the 90+9 minutes, but Williams slipped and the ball was cleared, which then ended the match and gave victory to Portugal.
Brazil cruise past Serbia
Everyone’s favourite and the 5 times works Cup winners Brazil kicked off their campaign against Serbia in yet another game that was all about the second half, Brazil, with their stacked squad, never felt threatened as you would often see their main defender Thiago Silva in the attacking third creating delicate passes to pick out his teammates.
The deadlock was finally broken as Madrid’s Vinicious Jr. Managed to dribble past the Serbian defense before Richarlison managed to score an easy tap in giving Brazil the lead.
But perhaps the most exciting goal of the world Cup can’t in the 73rd minute when Vini Jr. Picked out Richarlison yet again, who had a poor first touch, but it was all good as he managed to convert that air ball with an amazing overhead kick, sending football fans into a frenzy.
Standing in group G and H
Portugal stand at the top of group H after their victory against Ghana, while South Korea and Uruguay take the second and third place currently.
Over in group G, we finally have two teams with 3 points each in a single group as Brazil tops it with their 2 goal positive difference while Switzerland comes second with their +1 goal difference. Cameroon occupies the 3rd spot and Serbia is down at fourth.