Portugal vs Ghana, LIVE streaming info FIFA World Cup: When and where to watch, predicted XI, head to head

PREVIEW (by way of Reuters)

Portugal shall be eager to let its soccer do the speaking when it faces Ghana in its World Cup opener on Thursday amid controversy over Cristiano Ronaldo’s feedback about Manchester United and tensions between the squad and the media.

Euro 2016 champion Portugal hammered Nigeria 4-0 in its final warm-up match earlier than flying to Qatar, providing some encouragement to its followers after a poor run of kind.

But Ghana – which reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2010 – arrived on the Arabian Peninsula with wind in its sails too after beating Switzerland 2-0 in a pleasant.

The match on the 974 Stadium in Doha provides the edges the possibility to put down an early marker in Group H, which additionally consists of Uruguay and South Korea.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has come underneath strain from native media and followers following latest disappointments – together with a last-16 Euros exit final yr.

There can also be speak of stress within the squad and worries amongst followers that the staff is just too targeted on serving captain Ronaldo, who at 37 is previous his prime.

“The environment in the changing room is excellent. No problems,” five-times Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo mentioned on Monday. “The group is shielded. And I take this opportunity to say: stop asking about me.” But the probabilities of Ronaldo stepping out of the highlight look slim within the wake of an explosive TV interview wherein he mentioned he had been betrayed by Manchester United, prompting hypothesis that he’ll quickly go away the membership.

He led Portugal to triumph at Euro 2016 however World Cup glory has eluded him and Qatar represents his final likelihood.

Some followers say the time has already come for Ronaldo to step apart and let expertise similar to fellow Manchester United gamers Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo take centre stage.

Lining up in opposition to them for Ghana are prone to be Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey and Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams.

Coach Otto Addo, Ghana’s third supervisor in 12 months, has sought to rebuild the staff after a disastrous exhibiting on the Cup of Nations in early 2022, bringing in additional European-born gamers similar to Brighton & Hove Albion wingback Tariq Lamptey.

But his plans suffered a setback when each of his main goalkeepers suffered accidents, that means third-choice Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who performs at St Gallen in Switzerland, shall be entrusted to maintain out Ronaldo and his colleagues on Thursday.

The groups met on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when Portugal gained 2-1 due to a late winner by Ronaldo.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH