If the market value took into account the outcome of the game, Portugal would have crushed Ghana today. Fernando Santos’ 26-man squad is valued at €937 million; Africans cost 216.90. That is, the Portuguese national team is worth almost five times more.
Most Valuable Portuguese Player – Milan’s Rafael Leau transfer market at 85 million euros. On the side of Ghana – defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, an Arsenal player – 38 million.
Bernardo Silva (€80m), Bruno Fernandes, Rubén Dias (€75m) and João Cancelo (€70m) complete the top five most valuable Portuguese players. From the African side, the ranking is followed by striker Inaki Williams (At. Bilbao, 25M), Salis (Southampton, 18M), Sulemana (Rennes, 18M) and a trio of players worth 15 million – Amartey (Leicester), Lamptey. (Brighton) and Kudus (Ajax).
It should be noted that only two players play in the national league of Ghana – goalkeeper Dunlad and striker Daniel Afriye. Everyone else plays abroad, scattered all over Europe, from England to France, through Belgium, Spain, Germany and even Portugal – young Sporting player Fatavu.
The average age of the African team is 25.32 years.
Portugal have not won their first match since 2006.
Portugal’s triumph over Ghana today interrupts a Malapata that has been going on since 2006 with a win on their World Cup debut. In the previous eight meetings, the team has three wins, two draws and two losses.
The last win was at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when Portugal beat Angola 1–0 with Pauleta’s goal. Then, in 2010, in South Africa, a goalless draw with Côte d’Ivoire; they lost 4-0 to Germany in 2014 and drew again in Russia in 2018, this time with three goals against Spain.
In their debut at the World Cup in England in 1966, where Portugal finished third (the best participation to date), the corner team made their debut with a 3-1 triumph over Hungary.
Twenty years later in Mexico, Portugal made their triumphant debut again, beating England 1–0 in Monterrey with a goal from Carlos Manuel. In 2002, the debut was forgotten in South Korea with a 3-2 defeat by the United States.
Portugal advanced to the next stage after winning (1966 and 2006) or drawing (2010 and 2018) the first game, but never managed to do so after losing (2002 and 2014). In 1986, he began to win, but still dropped out of the group stage. check
