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DOHA: Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a bit of World Cup goalscoring historical past on Thursday as mighty Brazil ready for his or her first sport of the finals.
Ronaldo turned the primary man to attain in 5 totally different editions of the World Cup as he slotted dwelling a penalty to assist Portugal down Ghana 3-2 of their Group H conflict.
The sometimes ice-cold spot-kick was Ronaldo’s eighth profession aim on the World Cup and comes after a tumultuous week which noticed the star ahead make a sensational exit from Manchester United after weeks of tensions with the membership.
However there was controversy surrounding the penalty, which was awarded after Ronaldo crashed theatrically to the turf following minimal contact with Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu.
Andre Ayew raised hopes for Ghana with a 73rd minute equaliser however targets from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao ensured a successful begin for the Euro 2016 champions. Osman Bukari scored a late comfort for Ghana.
Afterward Thursday, World Cup favourites Brazil launch their bid for a record-extending sixth international crown in opposition to a harmful Serbia aspect.
Brazil boast an array of attacking expertise together with Paris Saint-German ahead Neymar and Actual Madrid pair Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Coach Tite will likely be cautious of his Group G opponents after witnessing shock defeats for Argentina and Germany already in Qatar.
“In my view these gamers (attackers) will assist Neymar as a result of they’ll divide up the duty and create house for him,” stated veteran Brazil skipper Thiago Silva.
“The environment within the squad is super-healthy,” he added. “The combination of younger gamers and extra skilled ones creates an excellent connection.”
Serbia seem a extra harmful proposition than 4 years in the past, when in addition they confronted Brazil within the group stage however misplaced 2-0 and exited within the first spherical.
“We’re afraid of no person on this planet, not even Brazil,” stated Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic, who hopes prolific Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will likely be match for the match on the Lusail Stadium.
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Cameroon distress
Switzerland and Cameroon, additionally in Brazil’s group, kicked off on Thursday’s motion in Qatar, with the Swiss successful 1-0 courtesy of a aim from Cameroon-born Breel Embolo.
The ahead struck three minutes into the second half at Al Janoub Stadium as Switzerland secured a significant three factors.
Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler labored the ball out huge on the fitting to Xherdan Shaqiri, whose low cross into the realm was swept dwelling by an unmarked Embolo, who selected to not rejoice in opposition to his start nation.
“It is fairly particular for him due to his hyperlinks to Cameroon — I am very joyful he is enjoying for us,” stated Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer. “He is all the time proper there while you want him.”
Defeat condemned Cameroon to their eighth straight loss at World Cups — a depressing run stretching all the best way again to 2002.
In Thursday’s different sport, the return of Tottenham star Son Heung-min was not sufficient to encourage South Korea to victory with the Asian aspect grinding out a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Group H.
The striker wore a masks to guard the damage he suffered whereas enjoying within the Champions League for Spurs as South Korea took a degree of their opener.
The 30-year-old had surgical procedure for fractures round his left eye simply three weeks in the past and this was his first time to play competitively since.
“I really feel okay, I am not the one one to put on a masks, some gamers put on masks. I really feel comfy,” he informed reporters afterwards.
“I am simply joyful to be right here, pleased with the masks that I might play, it is simply so superb.”
In the meantime, the shockwaves from Germany’s monumental upset defeat to Japan on Wednesday continued to reverberate, with coach Hansi Flick warning no member of his workforce was protected after the 2-1 loss.
The four-time champions, who subsequent face Spain, are going through a nightmare state of affairs of a second consecutive group-stage exit after their early departure in Russia in 2018.
“You’ll be able to perceive that we’re discussing each matter of personnel and each place,” Flick stated. — AFP
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