Portugal might have been playing the lowest-ranked nation in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup, but that certainly didn’t mean that they had an easy day at the office.
In the end, the 2016 European champions secured a 3-2 win over Ghana at Stadium 974, but not without a few thrills and spills along the way.
After a drab opening hour to the game, Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock by winning and scoring a penalty to become the first male player to ever score in five World Cup tournaments.
What happened in Portugal 3-2 Ghana?
However, the Black Stars weren’t simply going to lie down and take a beating, instead drawing level just minutes later as Andre Ayew sparked delirious scenes by scoring from close range.
But even as the Ghanaian celebrations were still in full swing, Portugal dealt their killer blow as goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao looked to have turned things into a formality late on.
That was, however, until a Osman Bukari finish livened things up again in the 89th minute and a last-gasp disaster from Diogo Costa almost presented Inaki Williams with the chance to equalise.
Buy your Cristiano Ronaldo t-shirt from the GMS Shop
What went wrong for Diogo Costa vs Ghana?
If it wasn’t for the Ghana striker slipping at the crucial moment, Williams might easily have reproduced the iconic Premier League moment of Dion Dublin sneaking up on Shay Given rolling the ball out by inflicting the same fate upon Costa.
It truly was a heart-in-mouth moment for everyone watching and that includes Ronaldo himself, who could be seen looking absolutely gobsmacked as television replays quickly cut to his face.
The former Manchester United hero, rather understandably, looked baffled at what he was seeing as Portugal’s number one almost threw away victory in the most bizarre fashion imaginable.
How did Portugal react to Costa’s meltdown?
And if you thought that the original shot of Ronaldo looking absolutely staggered was pure gold, then just wait until you see the full footage of the Portugal bench watching it all unfold.
In what can only be described as the mother of all emotional rollercoasters, the number of facial expressions that Ronaldo goes through the in space of just a few seconds makes for hilarious viewing.
Marry that to the sustained bewilderment of Felix, Diogo Dalot pulling his shorts up as high as possible and Fernando Santos looking as though he wants to cry and yup, you have yourself a video ripe to go viral.
And go viral it has with thousands of football fans chuckling away at an absolute soap opera of sporting emotions, so be sure to join in the fun by watching the action for yourself down below:
Video: Full footage of Portugal bench’s reaction to Costa error
The Portuguese bench’s reaction to the Diogo Costa’s incident. 😂
— george (@StokeyyG2) November 25, 2022
That footage would work so well edited against a whole host of situations!
With every point meaning so much at the World Cup and the exact nature of Costa’s error proving so, so rare, it’s no wonder that the reactions of the Portugal bench were hilariously cinematic.
FIFA World Cup Winners: Can you name these 20 obscure champions?
Who is Diogo Costa?
Costa, 23, is one of the most highly rated young goalkeepers in the men’s game with an elite level of distribution and footwork married to an uncanny ability to save penalties.
Having risen through the youth ranks at FC Porto, Costa now has over 80 appearances under his belt for the senior team at the Estádio do Dragão having established himself as the club’s number one since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
Linked to clubs such as Manchester United, the Portuguese prospect entered Qatar 2022 as his nation’s first choice between the sticks and currently boasts eight caps for the Selecao.
You can find all of the latest football news and rumours right here.