Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Ghana and other World Cup news and highlights

That’s the end of the action on Day 5 of the World Cup, as Brazil brings things to a close with a 2-0 win over Serbia.

Every team has now played in Qatar, with England, Spain, France and Brazil the standout performers so far, with Saudi Arabia and Japan delivering major upsets by beating Argentina and Germany.

There are four more matches on Friday, as host Qatar faces Senegal and looks to put a disappointing opening day loss behind it, while England looks to secure its place in the knockout stages with a win against the United States Men’s National Team.

Join us then.

Neymar of Brazil lies on the turf with his face contorted in pain, holding his ankle. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa (Photo by Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Brazil’s joy following its 2-0 win over Serbia appeared to be dampened almost immediately as it became apparent star man Neymar suffered a significant ankle injury.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward was substituted with 10 minutes remaining after going down under a challenge and Neymar looked emotional once he got to the bench, sitting down and covering his face with his shirt.

Neymar's swollen ankle as he leaves the field.

Cameras caught Neymar looking down at his ankle, which appeared to be very swollen as he made his way off the pitch.

It will no doubt be a huge concern to Brazil – and football fans around the world – whose chances of success would decrease considerably without Neymar.

Spain's forward #11 Ferran Torres scores a penalty during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 23.

So 16 games played, with another 48 matches to go at the 2022 World Cup. There have been four 0-0 draws already – Russia 2018 only saw one – but a few teams have recorded statement wins.

England arrived in Qatar having endured the worst buildup to a World Cup in its history. But Gareth Southgate’s team dispelled any criticism by thrashing Iran 6-2, its second largest victory at the tournament.

Likewise, France came to the World Cup having lost its dynamic midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté to injury, not to mention Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

After going behind to Australia early on it looked like the curse of the defending champion would strike France just as it had the previous four winners in their opening games. But a brace from Olivier Giroud and goals from Adrian Rabiot and Kylian Mbappé sealed a French comeback and a flying start to its World Cup defence.

Spain’s 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica set a new level of excellence at Qatar 2022 – arguably the most dominant performance in a World Cup game this century. Not only did La Roja score seven, but Luis Enrique’s side did not let Costa Rica take a single shot during the 90 minutes. Dominance.

Meanwhile, Brazil carries the heavy burden as pre-tournament favorite, and it showed in a difficult first half against Serbia. Then Richarlison got to work, grabbing a double, including an early contender for goal of the tournament with an acrobatic finish to give the?Sele??o a 2-0 win.

Brazil showed its unbelievable attacking depth as Neymar Jr. and younger stars like Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlisan and Rodrygo took center stage in a new and thrilling Brazil side looking to showcase a 2022 edition of jogo bonito (the beautiful game) at the World Cup.

However, the biggest winners of the first round of fixtures were arguably not from Europe or South America, but from Asia.

Saudi Arabia came into the tournament as one of the lowest ranked sides and with an unknown team entirely hailing from domestic club football.

In the path of the Green Falcons was an Argentina side unbeaten in 36 games and led by Lionel Messi in his pursuit of the only trophy that has eluded him in his glittering career.

But the Saudis were not daunted, coming from behind to score two brilliant goals and cause the biggest upset in World Cup history.

Just a day later, Japan followed up with a seismic shock of its own, turning over Germany. Like Saudi Arabia, the Samurai Blue went behind to a first-half penalty, but turned it around to earn the most famous win in Japan’s history.

Neymar celebrates Brazil's first goal, which he helped create.

Job done for Brazil in its opening match of Qatar 2022.

It wasn’t always pretty – the first half in particular was a slog – but the Sele??o certainly improved as the second half wore on and were worthy winners thanks to Richarlison’s two goals.

That second goal, a stunner from Richarlison, really broke the Serbians’ resolve and Brazil finally began to play some jogo bonito, which was greeted by ‘olés’ from the stands.

It wasn’t vintage Brazil, but Tite’s iteration of the national team is known as much for its pragmatism as its aesthetics.

Richarlison scores his spectacular second goal against Serbia.

What. A. Goal.

Richarlison produces a stunning acrobatic finish to bag his and Brazil’s second goal of the game.

It looks like a long way back now for Serbia.

Richarlison celebrates his opening goal next to Neymar.

It took more than an hour, but that Brazil goal had been coming.

It was created by Neymar Jr., who danced his way through the Serbia defense to set up a shot for Vinicius Jr.

The effort is well saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but Richarlison is on hand to prod home the rebound.

The Welsh Football Association (FAW) said FIFA told the federation on Thursday that rainbow-colored flags and hats will be permitted in FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

“In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for?@Cymru’s match against Iran on Friday,” FAW said in a statement on its official Twitter account.

“All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules & regulations,” it said.

It added: “The FAW urges FIFA to adhere to their message that everybody will be welcome in Qatar during the World Cup and continue to highlight any further human rights issues. We remain with the belief that football is for EVERYONE.”

Here’s some background: Ahead of Wales’ opening World Cup fixture against the USA, Laura McAllister, who captained the Welsh women’s national football team in the 1990s, says she was stopped by security officials and had her rainbow-colored hat confiscated before she was allowed to enter the stadium to watch Wales play against the United States.

The FAW’s CEO spoke to?Sky Sports?on Thursday about that incident and others like it, before detailing the FAW’s response.

“To have them [the rainbow hats] taken off the heads of our supporters, our own staff are amongst them, that was quite a shaky experience,” Neil Mooney said. “We were really appalled by that. We wrote to FIFA and said: ‘Look, we were promised an open, inclusive World Cup – and that’s not the case here.’

“FIFA got in contact with me to say: ‘Look, that was a localized issue in the stadium’ – that’s a little bit strange because it’s happened in other stadiums as well. Thankfully they’ve got back to us just in the last couple of hours, in writing, to say our fans can wear rainbow-related clothing tomorrow.”

CNN reached out to FIFA for official comment and were directed to FAW’s tweet.

Next up: Wales face Iran in a crucial Group B match on Friday.

An early chance in the second half for Brazil after a Serbian defensive error, but goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saves well.

It could be a busy half for the Serbian stopper.

Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic gathers the ball next to Brazil's Thiago Silva.

Not much to write home about after the opening 45 minutes.

Brazil has certainly been the more dominant side but has failed to create any chances of real note.

Casemiro had a pop from long range that stung the palms of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic but Serbia’s defense has so far done a good job to stifle Brazil’s considerable attacking talent.

Serbia's starting 11 pose before the Brazil match. Goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic, top right, is standing next to his brother, Sergej.

Thursday will be a day of great pride for the Milinkovic-Savic family, as brothers Sergej and Vanja take to the pitch for Serbia’s World Cup Group G match against Brazil.

Vanja is Serbia’s first choice goalkeeper, while Sergej is the team’s star midfielder and a wonderful player that has drawn interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The duo are one of five pairs of brothers playing at the World Cup in Qatar, with Lucas and Theo Hernandez (France), Andre and Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Eden and Thorgan Hazard (Belgium) and I?aki and Nico Williams being the others.

Interestingly, the Williams brothers are the only siblings not playing for the same team as I?aki represents his parents’ native Ghana and Nico represents Spain, his country of birth.

Cristiano Ronaldo attends the post-match news conference on Thursday.

Despite winning player of the match and becoming the first man to score in five World Cups, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t in a talkative mood after Portugal’s 3-2 Group H win over Ghana.

After the coaches of Portugal and Ghana spoke to reporters, it was Ronaldo’s turn to answer questions.

The superstar was smiling when he walked in, but before many journalists in the room could even start recording what he was saying, Ronaldo was off again.

The 37-year-old delivered a very short answer in Portuguese when asked about his eventful week – he left Manchester United on Tuesday – and record-breaking achievement at Qatar 2022.

One journalist estimated that Ronaldo was in the room for just two minutes before leaving. He was certainly talking for even less time than that.

A Brazil fan displays a cardboard cutout of Neymar before the Serbia match.

The Brazil team’s?distinctive yellow jersey is a symbol that unites the country through a love of football and national pride, but in recent years the shirt’s adoption by right wing supporters of outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who have worn it at protests and rallies to show their political allegiance to the 67-year-old politician, has provoked controversy.

Walter Casagrande, a former footballer for the Brazilian national team and S?o Paulo club Corinthians, remembers the feeling of scoring a goal while wearing the yellow jersey in his first match with the “Selecao” in 1985.

“It was a magical thing,” Casagrande told CNN Sport in 2020, “like an enchanted object that gave me huge emotion.

“Now I consider the Brazilian yellow jersey to have been kidnapped and appropriated by the right wing, so we cannot use it,” added Casagrande, whose sentiments lie on the left side of the political chasm.

Just days ahead of Brazil’s national elections in October, national team star?Neymar Jr. appeared in a campaign video endorsing Bolsonaro.

“The best player [of the current generation], a genius, is someone who divides Brazil in half because he’s shown himself to be a Bolsonarista and more than half the country is against Bolsonaro, so it’s difficult to be loved [as much as the players of 1982],” Brazilian commentator and journalist Juca Kfouri told CNN Sport.

The 1982 Brazil generation has often been described as the best team to have never won the World Cup.

Last month’s heated election came amid a tense and polarized political climate in Brazil, which has been struggling with high inflation, limited growth and rising poverty.

Bolsonaro’s leftist rival?Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, popularly known as “Lula,” who is due to be inaugurated as president on January 1, received more than 60 million votes – according to the election authority’s final tally – the most in Brazilian history and breaking his own record from 2006.

Brazil's Raphinha, left, makes a pass next to Serbian defender Filip Mladenovic during their match on Thursday.

We are underway at the Lusail Stadium!

There’s a sense that it isn’t a World Cup until Brazil play and get their tournament underway.

But the five-time winner often has the weight of the world on its shoulders given the expectations of Brazilian fans.

The world’s most successful team is once again favorites to lift a sixth World Cup, but it first needs to get past an exciting Serbian team that has been touted as ‘dark horses’ by many.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo does his trademark goal celebration Thursday after converting a penalty against Ghana to become?the first man in history to score in five World Cups.

Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Thursday as he became the first man in history to score in five FIFA World Cups, leading Portugal to a 3-2 victory over Ghana at Stadium 974 in Qatar.

The Portugal captain kickstarted a flurry of goals in the 65th?minute when he converted a penalty to put his team ahead 1-0.

The 37-year-old, who is playing in a record-equaling fifth World Cup, remains two goals shy of passing Eusebio (9) to become the nation’s leading goal scorer in tournament history.

Ghana, though, wasted no time in leveling the score as Andre Ayew equalized in the 73th?minute.

But Ghana’s joy was short lived as Portugal scored two successive goals in just under three minutes through Jo?o Félix and Rafael Le?o.

Osman Bukari scored a late consolation goal for Ghana in the 89th?minute but Portugal held on for the victory.

Ghana’s I?aki Williams nearly provided the ultimate drama in the final minute of the match as he stole the ball from Portugal’s goalkeeper after hiding behind him - only to slip at the crucial moment.

Brazilian star Neymar walks onto the pitch for warmups on Thursday.

Pre-tournament favorite Brazil and Serbia will be the last two teams to get their World Cup tournaments underway when they meet at the Lusail Stadium.

Five-time champion Brazil arguably boasts the best attacking line-up in the tournament, both in terms of quality and depth.

Neymar Jr. – like Cristiano Ronaldo and?Lionel Messi?– is searching for his first World Cup title, and the Paris Saint-Germain star will be ably supported upfront by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., Barcelona’s Raphinha, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison.

But Serbia, which topped its World Cup qualifying group ahead of Portugal, will be no pushover and has plenty of goalscoring prowess in captain Du?an Tadi?, Juventus forward Du?an Vlahovi?, and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovi?. However, Vlahovi? and Mitrovi? have both been nursing injuries ahead of the tournament.

Hoping to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, Serbia will likely have to battle it out with Switzerland and Cameroon, who face each other on Thursday, to reach the round of 16 – barring any disastrous results for Brazil.

But as this World Cup has demonstrated so far, don’t rule out any eventuality.

Brazil

Manager: Tite

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Dani Alves, Danilo, Bremer, éder Milit?o, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva

Midfielders: Bruno Guimar?es, Casemiro, éverton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paquetá

Forwards: Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar Jr., Pedro, Raphinha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr.

Starting XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison

Serbia

Manager: Dragan Stojkovi?

Goalkeepers: Predrag Rajkovi?, Marko Dmitrovi?, Vanja Milinkovi? Savi?

Defenders: Nikola Milenkovi?, Stefan Mitrovi?, Strahinja Pavlovi?, Milo? Veljkovi?, Filip Mladenovi?, Sr?an Babi?, Strahinja Erakovi?

Midfielders: Nemanja Gudelj, Sergej Milinkovi? Savi?, Sa?a Luki?, Marko Gruji?, Filip Kosti?, Uro? Ra?i?, Nemanja Maksimovi?, Ivan Ili?, Andrija ?ivkovi?, Darko Lazovi?

Forwards: Du?an Tadi?, Aleksandar Mitrovi?, Luka Jovi?, Du?an Vlahovi?, Filip ?uri?i?, Nemanja Radonji?

Starting XI: V Milinkovic-Savic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Lukic, Gudelj, Mladenovic; Tadic, S Milinkovic-Savic; A Mitrovic

—–

Jakob Jensen, CEO of the Danish Football Association, talks to CNN on Thursday.

The CEO of the Danish Football Association (DBU) told CNN the players at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar should not have to lead messaging around human rights.?

Pressed by CNN’s Becky Anderson on whether he’d allow the Danish captain to wear the rainbow-colored “OneLove” armband if he so desired, Jakob Jensen said: “I think it’s not the responsibility of the players to discuss human rights in Qatar and to discuss the decisions of FIFA.

Denmark was one of seven countries planning to wear the armband during its World Cup campaign before withdrawing at the final moment due to FIFA’s threat of sporting sanctions.

The armband features a numerical No. 1 within a striped heart in different colors to represent all heritages, backgrounds, genders and sexual identities.

“The sanction in hand was not just a yellow card – it was at the very minimum a yellow card,” Jensen told Anderson when asked if making the statement was worth a yellow card.

“It could have been that the captain was not allowed to enter the pitch, that he was not allowed to enter the next match. That’s why we chose to do as we did.”

Jensen denied that the DBU planned to leave FIFA, but confirmed their refusal to support president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidency election.

Last Friday, the president of the German Football Association said the organization did not support current Infantino’s re-election to the role.

FIFA announced last Thursday that Infantino will run unopposed for the next term of the organization’s presidency. It will be Infantino’s third term as president of world football’s governing body.

Jensen confirmed the DBU are investigating “legal opportunities” as a result of the armband controversy, although he admitted that “there is a not a big chance we will have legal success.”

Asked about if the team had planned messaging similar to Germany’s players covering their mouths, Jensen said: “What we’re doing cannot be boiled down to what we’re going to do at one match.

“We’ve been coming here [to Qatar] for seven years with one message – human rights for all – and that’s still our message.”

Denmark’s next match at the tournament is on Saturday against reigning champion France at Stadium 974.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups.

After a goalless first half, that second 45 minutes was some of the best entertainment we’ve had so far at this World Cup.

Portugal was certainly made to work hard for its win, but goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jo?o Félix and Rafael?Le?o gives Fernando Santos’ side a crucial three points.

Ghana will be left to rue some sloppy defending and will feel as though that is a missed opportunity to come away with a point.

In a truly wild finish to a wild half, I?aki Williams hid behind Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and waited for him to roll the ball onto the floor before pouncing.

Unfortunately for Williams, he slipped at the crucial moment as he tried to get control of the ball and was unable to convert.

Ronaldo’s exasperated expression on the bench said it all.

Osman Bukari celebrates after scoring Ghana's second goal.

Osman Bukari appears completely unmarked at the far post to head home and make it 3-2.

Hope now for Ghana with injury time remaining!

Lots of stoppage time has become a feature of this World Cup – and Ghana has NINE minutes to try and find an equalizer.

Bukari opted to pull out Ronaldo’s famous celebration, which seems unusual when your team is still losing.

Rafael?Le?o scores Portugal's third goal Thursday.

Rafael?Le?o?gives Portugal a two-goal lead and surely that is game over.

Just two minutes and 15 seconds between Portugal’s second and third goals – Ghana will be wondering just how it is two goals down.

It was another brilliant counterattack from the Portuguese, finished off superbly by Le?o after Bruno Fernandes’ through ball.

Ghana’s defense looks awfully exposed now as the African side tries to find a way back into this match.

Jo?o Félix celebrates after his goal gave Portugal a 2-1 lead over Ghana.

What a game this is turning out to be!

Jo?o Félix gets in behind the Ghanaian defense to give Portugal the lead for a second time.

2-1 Portugal!

Ghana's Andre Ayew, right, celebrates with Mohammed Kudus after tying the match at 1-1.

That didn’t take long!

Andre Ayew draws Ghana level just minutes after Ronaldo had given Portugal the lead.

Kudos to Mohammed Kudus there, who did brilliant to get to the byline and drill a low cross into the box for Ayew, who really couldn’t miss right in front of goal.

That is the first goal scored by an African nation at this World Cup… could Ghana now go on to win this match?

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring a second-half penalty against Ghana on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is brought down in the box by Mohammed Salisu … then steps up and converts the penalty to give Portugal a 1-0 lead!

Portgual’s captain becomes the first player in history to score at five different World Cups – what an achievement.

It seemed like a soft penalty, but replays showed Ronaldo just got his toe to the ball ahead of Salisu.

Thankfully, we’re saved from another 0-0!

We kick off the second half with the hope of seeing some tidier finishing as Portugal had a few chances in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Will the second set of 45 minutes see Cristiano Ronaldo score and lead the Sele??o to victory?

We shall see!

Ghana's Otto Addo gives his team instructions during the match against Portugal.

Many footballers are unsure of their calling once they hang up their boots and Otto Addo was no different.

The German-born Ghanaian international had enjoyed a stellar career in Germany, the highlight coming in the 2001/02 season when he won the Bundesliga title with?Borussia Dortmund.

Addo, who represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup and is now the country’s head coach at Qatar 2022, eventually finished his career at his hometown club of Hamburg and it was there that he began to get a sense of what life after playing might be.

As well as leading the Ghanaian national team, the 47-year-old also works as a player development coach at Dortmund where he helps nurture young talent both tactically and personally.

It’s a role that Addo says is “difficult to explain in a few sentences.”

He explains there are three main pillars – individual video analysis, in which he provides detailed feedback of each training session; transformation on the pitch, which helps players make the jump from youth team to first team; and lastly, but perhaps most importantly, guidance off the field.

“At least once or twice a month, I try to meet my young talent group,” he told CNN Sport in 2021. “The young players from the first team and then the best three or four players from the under-23s, under-19s and under-17s.

“Sometimes, we meet together and we eat something. We just talk about personal stuff, you know, if I have a feeling that any player has a problem, I try to meet him privately. I’m always there for them if they want to talk – and some need it more, some less.

“We talk about everything: their private life because I’m really sure that the better the relationships, the better I can coach them and then they won’t take criticism from me as badly. They should take it as help. I am really keen on building a good relationship between me and the young players.”

You can read more about Addo’s unique role below:

Otto Addo of Borussia Dortmund smiles prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla FC at Signal Iduna Park on March 9, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany.

Related article Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe's brightest young footballers | CNN

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo falls over Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

Portugal and Ghana are doing their best to continue our run of goalless draws at Qatar 2022.

Neither side has been able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, but not for the want of trying.

Portugal has missed a number of decent opportunities to take the lead, with captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo unsurprisingly at the center of his side’s attacks.

The former Manchester United star – now, of course, a free agent – missed perhaps the best chance of the half, heading wide at the far post.

Fans of Ghana cheer before the start of Thursday's match against Portugal.

They say that the World Cup is a festival of football. If so, the Ghanaian fans are the MCs.

Ghana’s game against Portugal hasn’t kicked into full gear yet on the field, but that has not stopped the Ghanaian contingent from singing their hearts out.

Hours before kick-off, the streets around the Stadium 974 were packed with Ghanaians singing and dancing, and they have brought that party into the stadium.

Equipped with flags, drums, trumpets and their voices, the Black Stars supporters are in a constant chorus.

Despite not outnumbering the Portuguese fans, you would be forgiven for thinking that the game was being played in Accra and not Doha.

A Ghana fan holds up a flag inside the stadium.

Portugal's Joao Felix is challenged for the ball by Ghana's Thomas Partey, left, and Daniel Amartey.

Away we go at Stadium 974.

Following Uruguay and Ghana’s tepid goalless draw earlier, both Portugal and Ghana will sense an opportunity to grab a hold of Group H with a strong performance under the lights in Doha.

Despite looking busy around the stadium before kick-off, there are plenty of empty seats inside.

According to FIFA, the venue has a capacity of 40,000 but it’s nowhere near full.

Security outside seemed stricter than at previous venues so far this week so expect fans to keep trickling in as play gets underway.

The next 90 minutes should be a fascinating watch…

Ahead of his tournament debut in Qatar, Portugal star defender Ruben Dias remembers his best ever World Cup memory – being at a family gathering and finding out that he had been selected for the 2018 tournament.

Watch below:

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Ghana players prepare to enter the pitch for warmups on Thursday.

Portugal is the strong favorite against Ghana with 52 places separating the sides in FIFA’s rankings.

But having been dumped out of the Africa Cup of Nations after a humiliating group-stage defeat against Comoros in January, Ghana’s Black Stars will benefit from the “signings” of forward I?aki Williams and right-back Tariq Lamptey ahead of the tournament.

Williams switched allegiances from Spain earlier this year and Lamptey from England.

Otto Addo – the only part-time coach at the tournament – also has at his disposal star midfielder Mohammed Kudus and experienced campaigners including Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and the Ayew brothers, Jordan and André.

Whether Addo, who principally works as a scout for German club Borussia Dortmund, can get Ghana to click remains to be seen.

Portugal’s performance could take the heat off Ronaldo: Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo?will begin his World Cup?campaign for Portugal and look to put events from the last week-and-a-half behind him.

This will likely be the 37-year-old Ronaldo’s final World Cup – a trophy that has so far eluded him over the course of his decorated career.

A successful tournament in Qatar would also allow Ronaldo to move on from his messy divorce with United having ended his second spell at the club on Tuesday.

It came after the forward gave an?explosive interview to Talk TV?in which he said he felt betrayed by United and launched a scathing attack on manager Erik ten Hag.

And as the World Cup gets going, Ronaldo has?offered assurances?that the focus of his Portuguese teammates won’t be shaken by the timing of his bombshell interview.

“In my life, the best timing is always my timing,” he told reporters on Monday. “I don’t have to think about what other people think. I speak when I want. The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am.”

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, right, warms up before Thursday's match against Ghana.

His off-the-field decisions have been making headlines for weeks, but finally, Cristiano Ronaldo can let his football do the talking.

The forward captains his Portugal side as it faces Ghana, and the excitement is building with the fans inside the 974 Stadium as Ronaldo takes to the pitch to warm up.

Ronaldo’s No. 7 Portugal jerseys can be seen dotted around the ground, as people come from far and wide to watch him play.

Even the stadium announcer is attempting to get the crowd going by getting them all to do Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siuu’ celebration.

And now, with the minutes ticking away until Ronaldo leads his Portugal team out, the anticipation is building…

There are 974 shipping containers included in the design of Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar.

The innovative Stadium 974 is arguably the most unique stadium in World Cup history.

Its name is inspired by Qatar’s international dialling code as well as the number of shipping containers included in its design.

It will also be the first World Cup stadium to be entirely demountable after the tournament but, until then, it looks stunning against the backdrop of Doha’s West Bay.

The shipping container theme can be seen inside the stadium as well.

Inside the stadium, the shipping container theme continues: from the toilets to the food stalls.

The small pocket of Ghana fans – no more than a few hundred – situated behind one of the goals is putting a smile on everyone’s face with their boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm. They go crazy as the goalkeepers come out early to warm-up.

Less than an hour to go and it’s getting lively.

Portugal

Manager: Fernando Santos

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Patrício

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Jo?o Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Pepe, Rúben Dias, António Silva, Nuno Mendes, Raphael Guerreiro

Midfielders: Jo?o Palhinha, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Jo?o Mário, Matheus Nunes, Otávio Monteiro, Vitinha, William Carvalho

Forwards: André Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gon?alo Ramos, Jo?o Félix, Rafael Le?o, Ricardo Horta

Ghana

Manager: Otto Addo

Goalkeepers: Manaf Nurudeen, Danlad Ibrahim, Lawrence Ati Zigi

Defenders: Denis Odoi, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Gideon Mensah

Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Kofi Kyereh

Forwards: Daniel Barnieh Afriyie, Kamal Sowah, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Osman Bukari, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana

Ghana supporters play music outside Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday.

Ghana may not have the most fans in Doha today, but they’re certainly making the most noise.

Groups have been playing music, chanting and dancing from the Metro all the way to the magnificent Stadium 974, which plays host to its opening match of the tournament against Portugal.

Along the road to the venue, live performances from around the world compete for the biggest audience and the Ghanaian fans are stopping at every one to dance and sing.

Portugal fans wear Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys in Doha on Thursday.

Meanwhile, cries of ‘SIUU’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic celebration – ring around the concourse as Portugal fans dream of yet another masterclass from the 37-year-old.

His relationship with Manchester United may have fallen off a cliff earlier this week, but he’s still a hero in the eyes of many in Portugal colors tonight.

It’s an hour before kick-off, but it feels like it will be a lively one inside the stadium tonight.

Ghana fans arrive at the stadium before the Portugal match on Thursday.

Portugal fans show their team pride on Thursday.

South Korea's Jung Woo-young competes for a ball with Uruguay's Federico Valverde on Thursday.

It ends the way it started – goalless – at the Education City Stadium as Uruguay and South Korea begin their campaigns with a point each in Group H.

In a game that was lacking many clear-cut chances, the best opening fell before halftime to Uruguay defender Diego Godín who headed against the post from a corner.

Both teams huffed and puffed but failed to really threaten the opposition team’s goalkeeper, with both having relatively uneventful afternoons.

Federico Valverde almost produced a moment of magic right at the death to snatch a victory, but his long-range strike smacked against the post.

The goalless draw is the fourth of the tournament – with the record at a World Cup being seven.

Let’s hope for more goals the rest of the tournament!

It’s 0-0 after the break, despite two incredible chances to break the deadlock coming late in the first 45 minutes.

Both teams are showing plenty of endeavor and enterprise as they look to start Group H in perfect fashion.

Let’s see what happens in the second half…

England captain Billy Wright, left, exchanges souvenirs with US captain Ed McIlvenny at the start of their World Cup match in 1950.

On one side of the pitch was a team made up some of the biggest names in world soccer. On the other was a grave digger, a dishwasher and a postman. The result seemed a formality.

However, in front of approximately 10,000 fans – and one intrepid US reporter – in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, one of soccer’s biggest ever upsets took place.

Described as a “real bunch of ragamuffins” by the author Geoffrey Douglas, the US beat a star-studded England side 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup.

Joe Gaetjens’ glancing header near the end of the first half was enough to secure the famous win for the US, a team made up of semi-professional players. But, given the lack of interest in the sport in the country at the time, it barely made a blip on people’s radar.

And for US soccer historian Steve Holroyd, the result was akin to the ‘Miracle on Ice’ from the 1980 Winter Olympics when the American team stunned the mighty Soviet Union in Lake Placid.

“With the exception of the politics, this was that. I mean, a plucky group of underdogs just beat what was generally universally recognized as the best team in the world,” Holroyd told CNN Sport.

To read more about this historic match, click below.

BELO HORIZONTE - JUNE 29: The captains of England and USA, Billy Wright and Ed McIlvenny (right) exchange souvenirs at the start of their match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which the American team won 1-0 much to the amazement of the football world. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Related article 'The greatest sporting upset of all time': When the US beat the 'giants' of England at the 1950 World Cup | CNN

South Korea's Hwang Ui-jo, center, reacts to a missed chance in the first half.

It is somehow still scoreless in the game between South Korea and Uruguay after both sides spurned chances to take the lead.

On 36 minutes, Hwang Ui-jo was unmarked but failed to put the ball in the net for South Korea while Diego Godín hit the post with his effort for Uruguay.

Georginio Wijnaldum wore the "OneLove" armband for the Netherlands during Euro 2020.

The European teams that were banned by FIFA from wearing the “OneLove” armbands at the Qatar World Cup “have together decided not to go to CAS [The Court of Arbitration for Sport]” but are still considering their “legal” options, the Dutch football association (KNVB) confirmed on Thursday.

The captains of England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark had planned to wear the armbands in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion at the World Cup but, after FIFA made it clear on Monday that players would be yellow carded if they did so, the teams all backed out of the protest.

“All 7 countries whose captains were planning on playing with the “OneLove” captain’s armbands have together decided not to go to CAS now. We are considering our legal position, though,” the KNVB said in a statement to CNN.

“We will continue with the “OneLove” campaign. The captains of the Netherlands and 9 other countries have previously played with the “OneLove” armband during the Nations League. This competition falls under UEFA and did not cause any problems,” the KNVB said.

CAS confirmed to CNN via a spokesperson that “the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has not been approached in relation to the matter.”

The KNVB added: “We are 100% behind the “OneLove” campaign and its message… We’ve received a lot of support for “OneLove” from, among others, Amnesty International, COC, FIFPRO, Nike and many people domestically and internationally. The “OneLove” captain’s armband is currently being bought en masse.”

CNN has contacted the national associations of England, Wales, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark for comment.

FIFA said it will be investigating the Mexico Football Association after there were reports of derogatory chants by fans in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Poland at the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA did not elaborate on the chants, but according to Reuters, Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was the subject of abusive chants by Mexican fans after his second-half penalty was saved by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

CNN has reached out to Mexico Football Association for comment.

South Korean star Son Heung-min is wearing a mask for Thursday's match against Uruguay.

We are underway at the Education City Stadium!

Uruguay and South Korea have kicked off in this Group H match with Son Heung-Min, South Korea’s talisman, wearing a protective eye mask after he suffered a fractured eye socket earlier this month.

Already, live pictures have picked out fans in the crowd wearing similar masks.

Players from South Korea and Uruguay walk onto the pitch before Thursday's match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Uruguay is the favorite and will benefit from the experience of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez. Liverpool forward Darwin Nú?ez will also feature in the attack, while midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde have been in excellent form of late.

The positive news for South Korea is that star player Son Heung-Min has recovered from a damaged eye socket and has been training in a protective face mask this week.

“Son can play,” coach Paulo Bento said in a press conference. “Yes, he will be able to play. I think the fact that he will be wearing a mask is not an inconvenience for him. It is rather natural for him.”

Son suffered a fractured eye socket earlier this month playing for Tottenham during Spurs’ Champions League match against Marseille.?

“Our hope is he will feel comfortable to the greatest extent possible and we’ll use the best strategy so he will feel at ease during the game,” Bento said.

“But he knows and we know that we cannot rule out any risks.”

Uruguay and South Korea have met each other twice during World Cups: at the group stage in Italy in 1990, and the last 16 in South Africa in 2010 – with Uruguay emerging victorious both times.

In three other friendlies – in 2002, 2003 and 2007 – the Uruguayans emerged victorious, but the teams’ first ever meeting in 1982 at the Nehru Cup ended in a 2-2 draw.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks relaxed during a training session at the Al Shahaniya Sports Club, Al Shahaniya, on November 23.

Two days after his turbulent departure from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo will begin his World Cup campaign with Portugal later today and look to put events from the last week-and-a-half behind him.

Portugal faces Ghana at 11 a.m. ET today, kicking off what will likely be the 37-year-old Ronaldo’s final World Cup – a trophy that has so far eluded him over the course of his decorated career.

A successful tournament in Qatar would also allow Ronaldo to move on from his messy divorce with United having ended his second spell at the club on Tuesday.

It came after the forward gave an?explosive interview to Talk TV?in which he said he felt betrayed by United and launched a scathing attack on manager Erik ten Hag.

And as the World Cup gets underway, Ronaldo has?offered assurances?that the focus of his Portuguese teammates won’t be shaken by the timing of his bombshell interview.

“In my life, the best timing is always my timing,” he told reporters on Monday. “I don’t have to think about what other people think. I speak when I want. The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am.”

Uruguay

Manager: Diego Alonso

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Serge Rochet, Sebastián Sosa

Defenders: Ronald Araújo, Martín Cáceres, Sebastián Coates, José María Giménez, Diego Godín, Mathías Olivera, José Luis Rodríguez, Guillermo Varela, Matías Vi?a

Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Agustín Canobbio, Nicolás de la Cruz, Facundo Pellistri, Lucas Torreira, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, Matías Vecino

Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Maxi Gómez, Darwin Nú?ez, Luis Suárez, Facundo Torres

South Korea

Manager: Paulo Bento

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Jo Hyeon-woo, Song Bum-keun

Defenders: Kim Min-jae, Kim Jin-su, Hong Chul, Kim Moon-hwan, Yoon Jong-gyu, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Tae-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yu-min

Midfielders: Jung Woo-young, Na Sang-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Son Jun-ho, Song Min-kyu, Kwon Chang-hoon, Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Jeong Woo-yeong, Lee Kang-in

Forwards: Hwang Ui-jo, Cho Gue-sung

Breel Embolo of Switzerland scores their team's first goal past Andre Onana of Cameroon during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon at Al Janoub Stadium on November 24, in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Switzerland squeaked past Cameroon 1-0 in the first match of the day at the Al Janoub Stadium, thanks to a goal from Breel Embolo against the country of his birth.

Cameroon engineered several chances of its own, particularly in the first half, but ultimately could not finish them off.

It was the first ever meeting between the two countries, both of whom have never advanced further than the quarterfinals at a World Cup, and Switzerland began its 2022 campaign with a key win to keep its hopes alive of progressing from a tough group that also includes Serbia and Brazil.

It looks likely to be an uphill battle for Cameroon now, but as we have already seen at this World Cup, you never know…

Budweiser beer kiosks are pictured at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 18, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament.

After years of anticipation – and controversy – since?Qatar?was awarded the World Cup, the tournament is finally underway in Doha.

Even before a ball was kicked, some sore spots arose. Despite years of planning, just two days before the tournament kicked off, Qatar announced a ban of alcoholic?beer?at the eight stadiums hosting the World Cup in a surprise volte-face.

Now, fans traveling to the country might be wondering where they stand with the rest of the host country’s local laws and customs.

Drinking

The sale and consumption of alcohol has been a highly contentious issue since Qatar was first announced as the World Cup host 12 years ago.

The Muslim country is considered to be very conservative and tightly regulates alcohol sales and consumption.

In Qatar, it’s illegal to be seen drunk in public and those who violate this could face legal consequences. According to UK government advice on traveling to Qatar, drinking in a public place could “result in a prison sentence of up to six months and/or a fine up to 3,000 Qatar Rial ($824).”

In September, Qatar had said it would permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kick-off and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match.

Then two days before the first match, soccer’s world governing body FIFA confirmed that no alcohol would be sold at the eight stadiums which will host the tournament’s 64 matches.

Alcohol will only be served in designated fan parks and other licensed venues around Doha, FIFA said in a statement.

To read about what else is banned, click here