Russia hands Ghana first defeat in 2016
Ghana put up a brave fight but lost 1-0 to 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts Russia on Tuesday night in Moscow.
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The Black Stars were undone by Fedor Smolov's 19th minute goal which separated the two sides at the Lokomotiv Stadium.
The FC Krasnodar forward was put through neatly inside the box with a defence splitting pass and he shot through the legs of Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.
Ghana could have snatched the leveller before the break but Christian Atsu’s lobbed ball from the right which was over and above goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev rattled the cross bar.
Two minutes after the break, winger Frank Acheampong also came close after beating goalkeeper Akinfeev but his effort was some few metres away from goal.
Defender John Boye put up a man of the match performance, preventing the hosts from doubling their lead in the 68th minute with a goal line clearance after Kwarasey was beaten.
The Black Stars continued to search for the equalizer but they nearly got punished when Kwarasey missed an aerial ball, however Boye was on the line to clear.
Just before the final whistle, Baba Rahman whipped in a cross from the left which found Christian Atsu on the far side who applied a connection but Akinfeev parried it away.
It was Ghana’s first defeat in five matches this year.