By Kaden Rossiter

Portugal and their journey in the 2022 World Cup. It was their star captain and striker Christiano Ronaldo's last world cup he would play in. But many star players in this World Cup are were their last years, including Lionel Messi. 

But before the games Portugal played, how did they qualify for the World Cup? 

By finishing in second place in Group A Portugal had qualified for the World Cup.  On March 24, 2021 they won 1-0 against Azerbaijan. The European superpower had just begun their journey in the 2022 World Cup. But that game was very frustrating for Portugal because they Made only 1 out of the 29 shots they made on goal. Portugal manager Fernando Santos said: "We had some difficulties, some problems, it's undeniable. In the second half, the team lacked inspiration and fluidity." As we know Argentina and Messi won it all against France but how far did Portugal make it in the World Cup?

GAMES

GAME 1 

Portugal vs. Ghana

As Portugal kicked their World Cup off against Ghana, Ronaldo scored one of the many scores in the 65’ minute as he took a Penalty Kick. Andre Ayew scores in the 73’ minute to tie the game 1-1. 5 minutes later Joao Felix scores to have Portugal take the lead 2-1. Portugal is on a roll because 2 minutes later Rafael Leao scores in the 80’ to Have Portugal up by 2 points. Osman Bukari scores for Ghana in the 89’ to have Ghana down by 1. But Osman’s score was the last and the game ended 3-2 Portugal. 

GAME 2

Portugal vs. Uruguay

As Game 2 kicked off for Portugal, they were playing Uruguay and only 2 goals were made, and they were made by the same guy. He scored in the 54’ and the 90+3 as a Penalty Kick. Ronaldo thinks he has an assist, with a header that barely hit his head. But VAR after the game says Ronaldo’s head missed the ball and the ball just went in. 

GAME 3 FINAL GROUP STAGE GAME

Portugal vs. South Korea

Portugal v.s South Korea. Korea got a big upset against Portugal winning 2-1. But who scored? So that is what I am here to tell you. As the game starts Ricardo Horta scored for Portugal in one of the fastest goals I have ever seen. Ricardo scored in the 5’ minute. But South Korea scored 2 more goals over the time of the game. Kim Young-gwon scored in the 27’ minute. And Hwang Hee-Chan scored at the end of the game in the 90+3 minute.

GAME 4 (Round of 16)

Portugal vs. Switzerland

Now since it is the Round of 16 it's win or go home. But Switzerland threw a q-tip at Portugal (The game was not a challenge at all for Portugal). I don’t think Switzerland really had a chance because Portugal won 6-1. Goncalo Ramos popped off with a rare hat trick. Goncalo scored in the 17’ 57’ 63’. While Goncalo was grinding for the hat trick, Pepe scored in the 33’. Pepe since he has scored, he was one the oldest players in the World Cup to score. Raphael Guerrero scores in. the 55’. Switzerland tried to come back with Manuel Akanji scoring in the. 5’8. But the score at this point is 3-1 Portugal. But Portugal has only just started. Goncalo completed his hat trick in the 63’. Then the final score of this cup game is Rafael Leao scored in the extra time. He scored in the 90+2’. To complete the game, Portugal won 6-1. 

GAME 5 (It's the end of the road, Portugal) 

Portugal vs. Morroco

This game was a giant upset for Portugal. This was a devastating game for Portugal national team fans. The Portugal players are reported to say that the ref was a Argentina fan so he rigged the game for Portugal. But again he did give a red card to Morocco’s player Walid Cheddira in the 90+3 minute. But Portugal did play a good game because they only let in one goal to Youssef En-nesyri in the 42’. The final score was 1-0 with a Morrocan win against Portugal. This was a giant upset foe the European superpower. 

SOURCES 

https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/09/20/road-to-qatar-how-portugal-qualified-for-world-cup-2022-in-pictures/