Portugal vs Ghana: Familiar foes renew acquaintances eight years later

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Portugal, Ghana, 2022 FIFA World Cup

It's set to be a rematch from the 2014 World Cup as Portugal and Ghana renew acquaintances on Thursday, November 24th.

Portugal will hope that the drama surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit from Manchester United will not serve as a distraction as they prepare to begin their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign against Ghana. The EURO 2016 and 2019 UEFA Nations League winners are aiming to have a strong run at this year's event, but first will need to successfully navigate through a quartet that also includes Uruguay and South Korea.

To date, Portugal, despite the strength of their squad, have not fared well at World Cups, with their best results being reaching the semi-finals in 1966 and, most recently, in 2006. Getting past the round of 16 has been something that has been a major issue lately, as in all but one of their last five, Portugal have been eliminated during the first knockout round, and come into this contest with just three wins from their last 14 World Cup ties.

Of course, with Ronaldo keen on making his mark at what appears to be his last World Cup, Portugal should not be dismissed despite their past struggles on the world's biggest footballing stage. While they have not won any of their last three opening matches at this competition, the presence of Ronaldo could give them the edge they need against a Ghana side who have been in strong form lately.

On the topic of Ronaldo, he will be hoping to make history as the first player to score in five different World Cups. To date, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is just one of five men - including none other than Pelé, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi - to score at four competitions. Messi joined this list after scoring during Argentina's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia; however, unlike Ronaldo, who scored in consecutive appearances between 2006 and 2018, Messi failed to score during Argentina's 2010 World Cup appearance (with his goals coming in the 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions).

The Black Stars will have revenge firmly on their minds as they take on Portugal, who beat them 2-1 eight years ago during a very disappointing 2014 World Cup that saw them knocked out at the group stage. Since Otto Addo's arrival, Ghana have seen some signs of slight improvement, although consistency continues to elude them. In their four pre-tournament friendlies, they lost twice (to Brazil and current World Cup hosts Qatar) while beating Nicaragua and Switzerland, so it remains to be seen as to what Ghana side will be on display when they face Portugal on Thursday.

Although they have been placed in a tough quartet, Ghana do have some exciting new faces, including Athletic Bilbao's Iñaki Williams, who once played for Spain's national team but opted to switch his allegiance to Ghana, the land of his parents' birth. Still, they will obviously need to show some real improvement if they hope to get out of a very tough quartet that will also feature Uruguay - the team that controversially denied them a spot in the semi-finals back in 2010 - as well as a very solid South Korean side.

Match facts: Portugal vs Ghana

This will be Portugal and Ghana's second meeting at the FIFA World Cup
Portugal have won only three of their last 14 World Cup matches (D6 L5)
Ghana are making their fourth World Cup appearance since their debut in 2006
Portugal's best finish at a World Cup has been reaching the semi-finals in 1966 and 2006
Meanwhile, Ghana's best finish was the quarter-finals in 2010
Cristiano Ronaldo is only one of four players, including Pelé, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose to score at four World Cups...
...and could become the first to score at five should he net at this one

Team news: Portugal vs Ghana

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on Portugal's 4-0 win over Nigeria recently due to illness, but the 37-year-old is expected to be back in the starting XI for this match. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes continues to battle his way back to fitness following an injury.

Ghana: Ghana will have a full-strength squad available for selection for this game.