Portugal wins overwhelmingly against Switzerland

Portugal is in the quarter-finals of a soccer World Cup for the first time since 2006. The Selecao celebrated a deserved 6-1 (2-0) win over Switzerland in Lusail on Tuesday. Goncalo Ramos, who stormed in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, became the match winner with the first treble pack scored in this final round (17th, 51st, 67th). Meanwhile, the Confederates were eliminated for the third time in a row in the World Cup round of 16.

The other goals in the sovereign victory were scored by Pepe (33rd), who at 39 years and 283 days became the oldest goalscorer in a World Cup knockout game, Raphael Guerreiro (55th) and Rafael Leao (92nd). With Ronaldo coming on in the 74th minute, the Portuguese offered their best tournament performance to date, convincing collectively and through efficiency. Morocco now await in the quarter-finals after surprisingly knocking out Spain on penalties.

Defense chief Manuel Akanji (58th) scored the consolation goal for the Swiss. Murat Yakin’s team didn’t really have access at any stage of the game, showed unusual weaknesses in defense and missed the first quarter-finals since the home World Cup in 1954.

Ronaldo not in the starting XI

Superstar Ronaldo was not in the starting line-up for the first time since EURO 2008 and after 31 games in a major tournament. National coach Fernando Santos had publicly criticized his regular captain the day before for his behavior when he was substituted in the game against South Korea when he left the pitch cursing him. Yann Sommer returned to goal for the Confederates after recovering from a cold, while Edimilson Fernandes replaced the sick Silvan Widmer at right-back. Salzburg legionnaire Noah Okafor came on in the second half.

The early stages of the game were quiet, both teams acted cautiously and neutralized themselves in midfield. In minute 17 wore Portugal the first reasonable attack of the game and immediately used it to lead. Joao Felix served Ramos in the penalty area, and Ramos locked the ball into the left corner over the summer. With the lead behind them, the Selecao took the lead, Otavio and Ramos again being denied shots from the edge of the box, this time by the Swiss goalkeeper.

It was half an hour before the Confederates posed a threat for the first time. Diogo Costa fished a Xherdan Shaqiri free kick out of the corner. Apart from that but only played Portugal. After a half-court cross from Felix, Fabian Schär, who didn’t cut a good figure even when conceding a goal, missed his own goal by just centimeters when trying to clear. The subsequent corner kick landed directly on Pepe’s head, who sunk the ball powerfully and placed it in the left corner. Ronaldo also took part in the goal celebration.

Shortly before the half-time whistle, Ramos had the preliminary decision on his feet before Sommer, the Swiss goalkeeper kept his team in the game with a strong save. The Confederates acted discouraged in the first half and deservedly fell behind, only a header from Remo Freuler still caused danger.

What had not succeeded before the break succeeded a few minutes after the change of sides. After a precise cross from Diogo Dalot, Ramos tied his brace from close range (51st). A little later things got even worse for Switzerland. Left-back Guerreiro completed a quick counterattack with a solid shot under the bar (55′).

Practically in return, Switzerland operated result cosmetics in the person of Akanji. The defender put the ball in the goal after a corner from close range (58′). Anyone who now believed that the Confederates would rebel was disappointed nine minutes later. Ramos chipped the leather into the net for a triple pack after a remarkable combination over the summer that was ending (67th).

Ronaldo came into play in the 74th minute, but he remained unnoticed except for an offside goal. Shortly before the end, Leao, who was also a substitute, scored the final score with a remarkable flick.

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