Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick to guide Portugal into the World Cup quarter-finals after a 6-1 demolition of Switzerland.
World Cup 2022 – Portugal 6-1 Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement Goncalo Ramos netted a treble in his first international start.
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World Cup 2022 – Portugal 6-1 Switzerland – Game Highlights
Who is Goncalo Ramos?
Well, this was the same question by millions of football fans before the Portugal vs Switzerland last-16 tie.
Surprisingly, Ramos was chosen ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, yes, the incomparable Cristiano Ronaldo.
And the 21-year-old wrote his name in the FIFA World Cup history in style, scored a hat-trick in his very first international start.
The Benfica man started the goal fest after 17 minutes after fed the ball from Joao Felix before unleashing a shot past Yann Sommer at the near post, 1-0 and Portugal led.
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Xherdan Shaqiri’s dipping free-kick was Switzerland’s rare chance to hit the target. But it was soon before Portugal scored their second as 39-year-old Pepe sprinted to the edge of the six-yard box to plant a header past Sommer.
The former Real Madrid man now become the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer behind Roger Milla, who was 42 when he netted at USA 94.
Second half adding 5 more goals
Any hope of a turnaround was swiftly put down by two goals early in the second half.
Ramos first turned in Diogo Dalot’s low cross before the striker unselfishly teed up Guerreiro.
The Dortmund full-back stormed forward from left-back to complete a flowing move with a conclusive finish high into the net.
Manuel Akanji toed in a consolation after Ramos inadvertently helped a right-wing Switzerland corner to the far post.
Akanji knocked in at the back post after a Portugal defender inadvertently flicked on a corner, but the deficit was four again soon after – Ramos’ impudent dink over Yann Sommer completing a memorable treble.
Ramos with accomplished finish, registered the first World Cup knock-out stage hat-trick in more than two decades.
Rafael Leao came on to curl home and complete the rout. Moments earlier, Ronaldo, on as a substitute, ran through to put the ball in the net, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Portugal have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for just the third time, ending the long wait since 2006.
Key stats
- Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored in a World Cup knockout fixture
- This was the first time since the play-off for third place in 1966 that Portugal had scored more than twice in a knockout tie at the World Cup.
- Pepe (39 years, 283 days) is the second-oldest player to score at the World Cup after Roger Milla (42 years 39 days) v Russia in 1994.
- With his three goals, Ramos is the first player to score a hat-trick on his first start since Miroslav Klose for Germany in 2002.
What’s next
The 2006 semi-finalists will meet Morocco, who is the fourth African team to reach the men’s World Cup quarterfinals, on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.
