Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 to grab the final spot in the World Cup 2022 quarterfinals. It was Gonçalo Ramos’s day. In the 17th minute, the 21-year-old Portuguese forward opened the scoring for his side. He added two more in the second half to secure a hat trick. The Associated Press has the story:
Portugal Crushed Switzerland 6-1 at World Cup
Newslooks- LUSAIL, Qatar (AP)
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, the superstar striker’s replacement scored a hat trick to lead Portugal over Switzerland 6-1 and into the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Goncalo Ramos, a 21-year-old forward who only made his Portugal debut last month, made his first start for his country and demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing Ronaldo was once known for.
Ramos scored the opening goal in the 17th minute and added others in the 51st and 67th — by which time chants of “RONALDO! RONALDO!” were swirling around the 89,000-seat Lusail Stadium.
Ronaldo entered as a substitute in the 72nd minute to loud cheers, though Portugal had the game wrapped up by then with defenders Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro also scoring. Rafael Leao added a late goal in stoppage time.
Manuel Akanji scored for Switzerland.
Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro and Rafael Leão also added goals for Portugal. Guerreiro’s came thanks to a Ramos assist.
Cristiano Ronaldo started the game on the bench for Portugal. In the 73rd minute, the 37-year-old superstar, who is playing in his fifth World Cup, entered the game to raucous applause.
The sole goal for Switzerland came in the 58th minute when Manuel Akanji got on the end of a corner to tap in a goal and help his side avoid the shutout.
Next up for Portugal, the team will face Morocco on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Earlier today, Morocco shocked Spain in a match that needed penalty kicks to be decided.
Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time, after 1966 and 2006, and will play Morocco on Saturday.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos now has to decide whether to stick with Ramos or restore Ronaldo, the top scorer in men’s international soccer and one of the game’s greatest ever players.
