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France 2-1 Denmark: Mbappe’s brace send champions to World Cup Round of 16

The PSG superstar has once again proven his worth as he netted twice in the second half to see France through to the next round of the World Cup with a game to spare

France have defeated Denmark 2-1 to book their place in the round of 16 at 2022 Fifa World Cup thanks to a Kylian Mbappe brace after the break.

After an end to end first half where chances were premium, France finally broke the deadlock through forward Kylian Mbappe on 61st minute. The Real Madrid target met a wonderful assist from Theo Hernandez to peg Denmark behind.

However, Christiansen pulled even for Denmark few minutes later before Mbappe finished them off with a simple tap in from Antoine Griezman’s cross.

The defending champions have thus become the first nation to qualify from their group after two games.

They will now play Tunisia on November 30 as the African side needs a win at all cost to stand a chance of booking their place to the next round.

Ghana 2-3 Portugal: Who were the worst and best performers for the Black Stars in World Cup game?

The Black Stars lost to Portugal in a five-goal thriller on Thursday but which of the players performed better and poorly?

Ghana narrowly lost 3-2 to Portugal in the opening game of Group H of 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar on Thursday.

Although, the Black Stars scored two goals in the second half, it wasn’t enough to stop Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo to pick all the points at stake.

After the game, journalist Akyereko Frimpong Manso has put together his ratings of Ghanaian players and has highlighted the good, bad and ugly.

Lawrence Ati Zigi – 5.7/10
He prevented Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring the opening goal of the game in the first-half as he rushed off his line to close the space available to the ex-Manchester United man. Out of the 13 long balls he passed into the middle only 6 found his teammates.

Alidu Seidu – 7.2/10
The Clermont Foot defender kept Joao Felix quiet for most parts of the game and was able to do the same when Otavio switched to his side of defence. Inside the 51st minute, he went past his marker to deliver a good cross into the box.

Baba Rahman – 5.5/10
He was a workaholic and impressive in the left-back role as he limited the chances of the Portuguese attack. Assisted Osman Bukari to score the second goal. However, he got 50 touches of the ball in 90 minutes. The Reading man offered 5 long ball passes with only 2 finding the target man.

Alexander Djiku – 6.5/10
Djiku made one tackle, two interceptions, and 4 crucial clearances. He passed the ball 26 times with an accuracy rate of 84.6%. He helped to keep the Black Stars’ backline compact until the goals started coming in thick and fast in the last 25 minutes of the game.

Daniel Amartey – 6.4/10
The Leicester City man provided two key passes, 51 passes with 84.3 % passing accuracy with 6 long balls delivered into enemy territory. He made 2 tackles, 6 clearances, and blocked 1 shot. Not a bad game for the 27-year-old.

Mohammed Salisu – 5.9/10
Not a bad game from the Southampton man as he made two vital interceptions and 2 clearances. His foul on Cristiano Ronaldo resulted in a penalty that was converted inside the 65th-minute mark for Ghana’s opening goal. He committed 3 fouls and was dispossessed off the ball once in a vital zone. He passed the ball 47 times with an accuracy rate of 68.1 %.

Thomas Teye Partey – 5.9/10
Not one of the best games for the Arsenal midfielder even though he gave 2 key passes out of a total of 55 he delivered from central midfield. He went into 4 tackles and blocked one shot in a vital zone. He got 68 touches of the ball and won 1 aerial duel. On three occasions, he poorly controlled the ball which summarised his underwhelming performance of the night.

Abdul-Samed Salis – 6.35/10
A total of 54 touches for the Lens midfield fan belt and a passing accuracy of 94 % – the highest by any Ghanaian player who started the game. Playing in a double pivot role with Partey, the 22-year-old made 1 interception and 1 clearance and passed the ball 50 times, and found his target man 47 times. He offered very little in attack and was dispossessed off the ball once.

Mohammed Kudus – 7.7/10

Ghana’s best performer in the game. He attempted two shots with 1 on target and provided Andre Ayew with the assist to level the scoring for Ghana. He touched the ball 41 times. He also completed four dribbles – the highest by any player on the Stadium 974 field. He offered three crosses into enemy territory and made one tackle. Otto Addo’s decision to substitute him on the 76th-minute mark left many surprised.

Andre Ayew – 7.1/10

The skipper touched the ball just 24 times in the 76 minutes he lasted but still managed to get his name on the score sheet with the leveller for Ghana inside the 73rd minute. He took just 1 shot and it got on target. He also won 1 aerial duel and was fouled three times. The Al-Sadd man passed the ball 12 times and it was only on two occasions that his intended pass went to the wrong man. He scored his 24th goal in 111 appearances for Ghana.

Inaki Williams – 6.1/10

Once again the Athletic Bilbao man failed to get a shot on target despite touching the ball 28 times, which was the lowest by any of the full-timers on the field. He was fouled twice and was dispossessed off the ball three times by the Portuguese defence and had two awful controls. He passed the ball 17 times with an 82.4 % passing accuracy. He should have scored the leveller for Ghana in the dying embers of the game.

SUBSTITUTES

Jordan Ayew – 5.1/10

Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – 5/10

Tariq Lamptey – 5.7/10

Osman Bukari – 6.2/10

Antoine Semenyo – 5/10

The Black Stars will now turn attention to South Korea whom they will face on November 28 and Uruguay on December 2.

Ronaldo storms out of press conference to avoid questions on ‘FAKE’ penalty against Ghana

The former Manchester United superstar left the media center after only two minutes and twelve seconds

Portugal captain and forward Cristiano Ronaldo smartly left the press conference after his side pipped Ghana 3-2 in opening game of Group H at 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The 37-year-old scored the opening goal after the break through a controversial penalty after Southampton defender Salisu Mohammed was adjudged to have fouled Ronaldo in the box.

Although, Ghana levelled the score through Andre Ayew, two quick goals from Felix and Rafael Leao helped Portugal to win the day despite substitute Osman Bukari pulling another goal back for Ghana late in the game.

Ronaldo was later named Man of the Match by FIFA and was then presented to the media for his reactions.

However, he lasted just 2 minutes and 12 seconds in the room and avoided a lot of questions in the process including what many perceived as a dive which gave him a penalty.

Ronaldo only took two questions and then promptly exited the room to the dismay of a large section of the media.

Talking about his general impression about the game, Ronaldo said: “This is a moment that makes me very proud. That chapter (United) is closed. I’m here to win. The rest does not matter.”

Portugal will face Uruguay in their next game on November 28 before they lock horns with South Korea on December 2 while Ghana also play South Korea and Uruguay on similar dates.

WATCH LIVE: Ghana vs Portugal; Jordan Ayew benched as Ati-Zigi, Salis start

The Black Stars begin their World Cup journey this afternoon as they face Selacao of Portugal in Group H

Ghana coach Otto Addo has named a strong starting XI to face Portugal in 2022 Fifa World Cup Group H opening game in Qatar on Thursday.

The Black Stars go into the tournament on the back of a 2-0 win over Switzerland in their last friendly game and would hope to at least replicate the same performance or pick a point against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.

Captain Andre Ayew and his brother Jordan have been given the chance to start in midfield while goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi starts in post ahead of Manaf Nurudeen and Danlad Ibrahim.

Southampton defender Salisu Mohammed start in defence together with Alexander Djiku and Tariq Lamptey who is waiting to make his first competitive appearance will be on the bench.

Click on the link to watch the game LIVE

Jordan has unsurprisingly been left on the bench despite his good performance against Switzerland last week. The Crystal Palace forward has been a target of criticisms by Ghanaians as they believe he plays lackadaisical type of football when it matters most.

In effect, Inaki Williams and captain Andre Ayew will lead the attack.

Ghana XI vs Portugal:

Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Daniel Amartey, Alidu Seidu, Alex Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Baba Rahman, Salis Abdul Samed, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Andre Ayew(C)

Portugal XI vs Ghana:
Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Guerreiro, Neves, Otavio, Bruno Fernandes, Felix, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Black Stars will play South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively to complete the group stage and hope for qualification to the Round of 16.

‘Defeat Portugal to make Ghanaians proud’ – Akufo-Addo tells Black Stars in Qatar

The first gentleman of the land was in the Black Stars camp to motivate them ahead of their game against Portugal

Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo has met Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku, Black Stars players and officials before they leave their hotel to play Portugal this afternoon in 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The president, who left Ghana on Wednesday night with Qatar Airways to motivate the players, admonished that they should do their best to represent the nation in a positive manner.

Akufo-Addo added that Ghanaians are solidly behind them so they should defeat Portugal to make everyone happy.

President Akufo-Addo & others arrive in Qatar to motivate Black Stars ahead of Portugal game

The country’s first gentleman has touched down in Doha hours before the Black Stars first game in 2022 Fifa World Cup

Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has arrived in Qatar ahead of Black Stars first game in 2022 Fifa World Cup on Thursday.

The president left Ghana on Wednesday evening with his entourage in a bid to motivate the Black Stars who face Portugal in Group H opening game on Thursday afternoon in Doha.

Upon his arrival, he was met by representatives from Qatar which included Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, H E Ibrahim bin Yousif Fakhro and the Ambassador of Ghana to Qatar Mohamed H E Noureddine Ismail.

Ghana are hoping to shock Portugal who are highly tipped as one of the favourites to win the World Cup as they have former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva of Manchester City fame among others in their setup.

Akufo-Addo will meet the players, technical team and officials this morning and tell them the importance of this game in the heat of global economic recession as Ghanaians back home are hoping to at least smile despite the economic hardship written all over their faces.

Meanwhile, about 500 supporters have landed in Qatar to team up with Ghanaians living in the country to support the Black Stars on Thursday.

The Black Stars will later face South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively to wrap up the group stage.

Ronaldo’s fight with Manchester United doesn’t affect Ghana – Andre Ayew

The Black Stars skipper believes the recent feud between the Portugal captain and his former club would not have a negative effect on the game

Ghana captain Andre Ayew has refuted suggestions that Portugal may struggle on Thursday when they face Black Stars in Group H opener of 2022 Fifa World Cup because of Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent outbursts on Manchester United.

Ronaldo recently blasted Manchester’s coach Erik Ten Haag as well as calling out the club owners as he feels there have been little or no improvement on and off the field since he left the club almost a decade ago.

The stance by Ronaldo has forced Manchester to mutually terminate his contract and the club owners – Glazer family have put the club up for sale.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo’s problem with Manchester United does not affect us [Ghana]. The Portugal team has players who are great professionals and have played for top teams so they will be ready for the game against Ghana. We are also ready for them.’

Video report: Black Stars training ahead of Portugal game; Kuffour optimistic of a victory

The Black Stars are still on their fine tuning as they hope to shock Portugal in the opening game of Group H

Ghana have stepped up their training ahead of 2022 Fifa World Cup Group H fixture against Portugal on Thursday in Doha, Qatar.

The Black Stars go into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Switzerland in the last friendly game and would hope to use it as a motivation.

Watch the Black Stars training in Qatar || ©Sheikh Tophic Sienu

The Black Stars must prevent former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo from getting a good game in order to stand a chance of picking at least a point.

Meanwhile, former Ghana defender Samuel Osei Kuffour who doubles as a management committee member believes the Black Stars can shock the world with a victory.

Ghana will face South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively before they know whether they will progress to the round of 16 or not.

Senegal 0-2 Netherlands: African champions fail to glitter without Mane

The reigning African champions could not glitter in their first game of the Fifa World Cup and would have to at least pick four points in their next games to qualify

Senegal were defeated 2-0 but Netherlands in Group A fixture of 2022 Fifa World Cup ongoing in Qatar on Monday.

The African champions, who are without their talisman Sadio Mane due to injury, had a blistering start to the game as they caused troubles to their opponents.

However, two goals after the break from Gody Gakpo and David Klaassen helped Netherlands to snatch all the points at stake.

Senegal will now have to defeat Ecuador in their next game as well as Qatar in the final game to book their place out of the group

Watch Live: 2022 Fifa World Cup opening ceremony

The global football competition finally kicks of today and Qatar promises to showcase to the world a great form of culture and heritage

The opening ceremony of 2022 Fifa World Cup finally kicks off today in Doha, Qatar as 32 countries fight for global bragging rights.

The the event which is expected to be the best in recent years will see performances from several top musicians across the world.

AshesGyamera will bring you all the live feed and behind the scenes stories.

Click on the link to watch the Live Feed

Ghana have been pitted with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H.