World Cup: victories for Portugal, Switzerland, Brazil
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Portugal 3
[Ronaldo 65 pen, Sequeira 78, Leao 80]
Ghana 2
[A Ayew 73, Bukari 89]
Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups as he helped Portugal beat Ghana in a five-goal thriller in Group H in Doha.
The 37-year-old, playing for the first time since being sacked by Manchester United after his controversial TV interview, converted from the penalty spot after being fouled by defender Mohammed Salisu.
Ghana equalized through former West Ham United winger Andre Ayew, who struck from close range, but Portugal soon restored their lead as Joao Felix scored with a clean finish.
Substitute Rafael Leao added another for Portugal; However, Ghana reduced the deficit when Osman Bukhari went home late.
Portugal endured a nervous final as goalkeeper Diogo Costa, unaware that Inaki Williams was behind him, grounded the ball and allowed the Ghanaian striker to intercept it. However, Williams rubbed his lines at the crucial moment as his weak shot was cleared off the line.
Brazil 2
[Richarlison 62, 73]
Serbia 0
Pre-tournament favourites, Brazil celebrated an absolutely convincing win over Serbia thanks to a Richarlison brace.
The Tottenham Hotspur forward opened the scoring with a close-range finish in the second half before adding his second with a superb overhead volley.
Serbia defended resolutely, especially in the first half, but failed to register a single shot on target in the entire Group G game.
Switzerland 1
[Embolo 48]
Cameroon 0
Switzerland started Group G by beating Cameroon in Qatar.
Breel Embolo, who arrived in Switzerland from Cameroon aged six, refused to celebrate when he scored early in the second half.
Uruguay 0 South Korea 0
Uruguay and South Korea shared the spoils in their Group H encounter in Qatar.
Hwang Ui-jo came closest to breaking through when he headed a corner off the post in the first half.
The games of tomorrow
Group A
Qatar – Senegal, 9 a.m
Netherlands v Ecuador, 12 p.m
Group B
Wales vs Iran, 6am
England vs. United States, 3 p.m