Portugal vs Ghana: Football Fans Fume at Referee’s Decision Not to Use VAR

• Portugal began their 2022 World Cup campaign on a winning note against Ghana, but it was not without controversy
• In a 50-50 challenge between Ronaldo and Mohammed Salisu, the latter appeared to have slightly got the ball before the ex-United forward
• The call went in Portugal's favour, with the referee not reviewing the incident and incurring the wrath of many football fans

Football fans across social media vented their spleen about referee Ismail Elfath, for his strange decision not to review Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty incident.

Portugal and Ghana played out a nail-biting five-goal thriller in their Group H opener at Stadium 974 on Thursday, November 24.

Portugal broke the game's deadlock via the penalty spot before Andre Ayew levelled the score shortly after. In a space of three minutes, however, the Selecao put the game beyond the reach of the Black Stars with two quickfire goals.

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Ghana put in a spirited performance in the final ten minutes of the game and even grabbed a consolation goal via Osman Bukari, but it was not enough to stop Ronaldo and his team from taking all three points at stake.

What seems to have caught the attention of social media users was the penalty incident involving Mohammed Salisu and Ronaldo.

Below are the comments:

@_owurakuampofo wrote:

"Omg there was actually no VAR check. This is just PURE robbery!"

@Blaqqkoffi added:

"That was never a penalty and No VAR check."

Another user @Popoolavictor6 reckoned:

"Only when Ronaldo is playing a penalty can be awarded with NO VAR check."

@Kushmannhuffy believed the referee robbed Ghana by not reviewing the penalty decision:

"Pure Robbery...No VAR.. Disgraceful."

@Yaw_Ampofo quizzed:

"Why NO VAR ?"

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World Cup: Ronaldo chalks milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups on Thursday, after his opening goal in Portugal's World Cup clash with Ghana.

The 37-year-old set the record by smashing home a penalty in the 65th minute at Stadium 974 in Doha to give Portugal the lead in the Group H clash with the Black Stars.

He overtakes Pele and Germans Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose, who all scored in four World Cups.

Ayew scores Africa's first goal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Andre Ayew has become the first player to score a goal for an African nation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Black Stars captain connected to a Mohammed Kudus pass to level the scoreline, in Ghana's Group H opener against Portugal.

Ronaldo had scored the opener from the spot for the 2016 European champions before the Al Sadd forward levelled ten minutes later.