Portugal 6-1 Switzerland highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022
FT Portgual 6-1 Switzerland! What a performance!
Brazil put on a show yesterday and Portugal have followed suit today.
And they’ve done it (more or less) without Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal captain being dropped to the bench was the big story before the game but manager Fernando Santos’ selection has been completely justified, with Ronaldo’s replacement Gonçalo Ramos netting a superb hat-trick. Portugal were slick in possession, with Ramos’ clever movement giving Bernardo Silva, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes and others a target to hit in behind and space to work in. Ramos’ finishing was reminiscent of that of Ronaldo, who came on for the youngster to a huge ovation for the final 20 minutes.
As for Switzerland, the less said the better. That opted to play with three at the back in the first half and looked uncomfortable doing so, with Portugal able to slice them open time and again. Murat Yakin’s side are normally resolute and tough to break down, but that wasn’t at all the case here. A night to forget for the Swiss, who didn’t offer much of a threat going forward either.
Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final line-up
We now have a full set of fixtures for the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals!
Croatia vs Brazil: Friday, 9 December, 10am ET
Netherlands vs Argentina: Friday, 9 December, 2pm ET
Morocco vs Portugal: Saturday, 10 December, 10am ET
England vs France: Saturday, 10 December, 2pm ET
What a line-up! Can you wait? I can’t!
But we’ll have to…for the first time since November 19, there will be no World Cup tomorrow (or the day after that). What are you going to do with your lives?
Be sure to join us again on Friday, we’ll be bringing you live coverage of all four quarter-finals and beyond!
Joâo Félix: We’ve been sending a message since the first game
Joâo Félix, speaking to Fox Sports:
On Gonçalo Ramos: “He deserves it a lot. He a great kid, he’s having a great season at Benfica. He works a lot.”
“He plays like that (there’s no pressure). He plays like he’s playing for Benfica. He, and everyone who plays, needs to play without pressure, because when you play without pressure, that’s when things go better.”
On Portugal’s World Cup hopes: “We’ve been sending a message since the first game. We’re here to fight for the title but we’re taking it game by game.”
Gonçalo Ramos: player of the match
In news that will come as a shock to absolutely nobody, Portugal striker Gonçalo Ramos has been named player of the match after his hat-trick. Three great finishes and a superb all-round performance.
Well done, that man!
Portugal’s hat-trick hero Gonçalo Ramos: Cristiano Ronaldo always tries to help us
Also speaking to RTP was hat-trick hero Gonçalo Ramos:
“Everything has happened really quickly. Will I start in the next game? That’s not up to me. I need to work as hard as I can and see what happens. Cristiano has spoken to me, like he has spoken to everyone. He’s the captain and always tries to help us.”
Portugal manager Fernando Santos: Ronaldo and Ramos are different players
Portugal manager Fernando Santos, speaking to Portuguese broadcatser RTP:
On Portugal’s overall performance: “It wasn’t a perfect night but it was a very successful one. We played with attitude and great levels of concentration throughout the match. It was a great match but now it’s important to come back down to earth.”
On his decision to start with Ramos instead of Ronaldo: “I already explained it, I’m not going to explain it again, They’re different players.”
Reaction coming up!
We’ll have a bit of reaction coming up from some of the game’s main protagonists, starting with Portugal boss Fernando Santos.
When is Morocco vs Portugal in the quarter-finals?
Morocco will take on Portugal in the quarter-finals on Saturday, 10 December, with kickoff at 10am ET. The game will be played at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
Portugal through to face Morocco in the quarter-finals
Portugal’s opponents in the quarter-finals will be Morocco, who, in case you missed it, defeated Spain in a penalty shootout earlier on Tuesday.
Gonçalo Ramos the Portuguese hero
Make no mistake about it, Gonçalo Ramos is the main story from tonight’s game (or should be, at least). Eyebrows were raised when he was named in the team ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo but he delivered, and how!
Some great stats in here…how about that last one?
And only Pelé has scored a World Cup knockout-round hat-trick at a younger age.
