Portugal advanced to the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, December 6, after trouncing Switzerland 6-1 in a Round of 16 match which the country’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, started from the bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo sat out the game and saw his replacement, Goncalo Ramos grab the first hat trick of the 2022 World Cup in a stunning team display.
It was 21-year-old Ramos’ first international start for Portugal and he scored his three goals in a little over an hour.
The youngster who plays for Benfica started the rout after 17 minutes when he drilled a finish past Swiss keeper Jan Sommer at the near post. Veteran 39-year-old defender Pepe doubled Portugal’s lead when he headed home Bruno Fernandes’ corner in the 33rd minute.
Ramos effectively ended the contest with a near post swoop on Diogo Dalot’s cross six minutes after the break.
Raphael Guerreiro gave Portugal the fourth goal of the match following his powerful strike. Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji pulled one back for Switzerland but Ramos swiftly got his third with a clever chip, which was the signal for the crowd at Lusail Stadium to noisily demand Ronaldo’s introduction.
Ronaldo got a rapturous applause after he was brought into the match. He also got a goal that was ruled off as offside.
Another youngster, 23-year-old Rafael Leao wrapped up the dazzling display from the Portuguese team when he curled in the sixth.
Portugal will now face Morocco in a quarterfinal match that would be played on Saturday, December 10.
