Ghana faced Portugal in their Group H World Cup opener on Wednesday and the iconic “Yeah!” by Cristiano Ronaldo. The goal celebration appeared not once but twice. However, Ghana’s Osman Bukari emulated the Portugal captain on the second occasion. Ronaldo, who was watching from the bench at the time, was noticeably upset by the imitation.
Bukari scored a header in the 78th minute to cut the two-goal deficit to 3-2.
Ronaldo sat on the bench, furious at conceding the goal and the mock celebration that followed.
The Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, had removed Ronaldo moments before.
Despite a shaky ending to the game, Portugal came out the winner.
A hot-blooded celebration
After an avalanche of comments after his “Yeah!” celebration, Bukari tweeted to clear the air.
He claimed the celebration was not disrespectful but an emotional response to scoring Ghana’s (and Africa’s) second goal at the 2022 World Cup.
Bukari also went on to say that he wasn’t raised to show such disrespect.
“I have noticed that my celebration today has generated comments that I was disrespectful to Ronaldo.
“This is incorrect. I was overcome with the emotion of scoring for my country on my World Cup debut which led to my celebration.
“My education does not allow me to be disrespectful to the elderly, much less to one of my idols.
“Thank you for your support and we focus on our next game!”
I have noticed that my celebration today has generated comments that I was disrespectful to Ronaldo.
This is incorrect. I was overcome with the emotion of scoring for my country on my World Cup debut which led to my celebration.
My education does not allow me
1/2 pic.twitter.com/5MWy0yaql0
– Osman Bukari (@OsmanBukari9) November 24, 2022
After a largely tame first half, the two nations scored all five goals in the second half of the match.
In the first forty-five minutes, the most convincing chance fell at the feet of Portugal’s all-time top scorer.
On this occasion, the former Manchester United’s first touch was too strong, putting too much distance between him and the ball. It also gave Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi a chance to intercept before the number 7 could push the ball to either side of the keeper.
A chance at redemption
Later, Ronaldo would have a chance to redeem himself in the sixty-fifth minute.
Referee Ismail Elfath awarded Portugal a hard-fought penalty. Elfath judged that Ronaldo had been fouled by Mohammed Salisu.
Repeats of the lack of support that the Portuguese captain could have gone to the ground for a soft tackle.
Anyway, Ronaldo stepped up and dispatched the penalty.
Goalkeeper Ati-Zgi scored, but the Portuguese striker hit the ball too hard for the goalkeeper to get close enough to palm the ball away. Moments later, Ronaldo ran away and leapt into the air to his iconic celebration.
yep again
The Portuguese striker’s converted penalty earned Ronaldo another record. He now goes down in history as the first man to score in five consecutive FIFA World Cups.
Portugal’s win secures them first place in Group H. Ghana trails to the bottom of the group below Uruguay and South Korea, who drew earlier in their opener.
The next opportunity for either Bukari or Ronaldo to stage the iconic celebration comes on Monday when Portugal takes on Uruguay and Ghana takes on South Korea.
