FIFA World Cup 2022: Ronaldo replacement shines at Portugal Gala

21-year-old Goncalo Ramos scored three times against the Swiss. In the 17th minute, the Benfica striker opened the scoring. In the 51st and 67th minute, the leader of the Portuguese goalscorers list followed suit. The second came from defender Pepe, who at 39 years and 283 days became the oldest goalscorer in a knockout game at a World Cup. The other goals in Portugal’s first entry into a World Cup quarter-finals since 2006 contributed Raphael Guerreiro (55th) and Rafael Leao (92nd).

Switzerland had nothing to oppose the offensive magic of the Portuguese, the team of coach Murat Yakin didn’t really have access in any phase. Manuel Akanji scored the consolation goal in the 58th minute after a corner kick. For the Confederates, the bankruptcy meant the third elimination in a World Cup round of 16 in a row. Most recently, the “Nati” was at the home World Cup in 1954 in the quarterfinals.

Ronaldo has to sit on the bench

The first big surprise came before the game. Ronaldo was not included in the starting XI for the first time since EURO 2008 and after 31 games in a major tournament. Team boss Fernando Santos had publicly criticized Ronaldo the day before for his behavior when he was substituted in the game against South Korea when the 37-year-old left the pitch cursing. For the superstar, Ramos played what would prove to be a gold handle. Otherwise, Santos trusted the team that had secured promotion to the round of 16 in the first two games.

The Swiss made two changes compared to the 3-2 win in the last group game against Serbia: Yann Sommer returned to the goal after his cold. In addition, defensive player Edimilson Fernandes started instead of Silvan Widmer, who was absent with a cold. The Swiss defense didn’t really get into trouble at the beginning. The Confederates even had slight offensive advantages without becoming dangerous.

Ronaldo substitute and veteran strike

In the first few minutes Portugal was in the offensive phase without Ronaldo, but this was soon over. In the 17th minute, the 2016 European champions struck ice cold – and of all things by the Ronaldo substitute, who should continue to make a name for himself in the course of the game. Joao Felix passed to Ramos, who was only half-heartedly attacked by Fabian Schär in the penalty area. The Benfica striker made a quick turn and smashed the ball into the near corner at 106 km/h. Summer was just an extra.

Portugal used this high phase for further deals. The attempts by Otavio and Ramos became the prey of Sommer (22nd). At the other end, Xherdan Shaqiri brought in a free-kick from over 25 yards out, but Diogo Costa nailed it and cleared for a corner (30′). Despite this, Switzerland was mostly under pressure. Schär’s attempt to clear with his head almost resulted in an own goal (32′). The action still had consequences, because the corner made it 2-0. Pepe climbed up in a dogfight against Akanji and headed the ball into the goal from close range (33′).

The Swiss faced a very difficult task and tried to score the important goal before the break. After a Stangl pass from Edimilson Fernandes, goalie Costa bounced upwards. Remo Freuler’s header, which was too weak, was cleared easily in front of the line (38′). But the chance was only the exception, Portugal was decisive and much more dangerous. Goalie Sommer saved his team against Ramos with a brilliant save from an almost hopeless deficit at the break (43rd).

Portuguese double strike after the break

The decision was made a few minutes after the break. Portugal added goals three and four with a double strike. First, Diogo Dalot gave a cross to the middle. Ramos lurked at the first post and extended the ball through Sommer’s legs into the goal (51′). Four minutes later, left-back Raphael Guerreiro responded to an attack, got the ball and shot it under the crossbar into the goal, which the Swiss goalie couldn’t hold.

In terms of results, the “Nati” was on the ground, but they did not give up. Shortly after conceding the fourth goal, the Swiss scored their first goal. After a corner kick, Akanji caught the ball on the second pole and pushed it over the line (58′). If the first goal gave the Swiss a glimpse of hope, it was soon dashed. Immediately after the substitution of Salzburg legionnaire Noah Okafor, Portugal scored the fifth trick. After an assist from Felix, Ramos lobbed the ball over Sommer to make it 5-1 (67th).

Ronaldo came on to thunderous applause

In the 73rd minute, celebrations erupted at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Ronaldo came on for Felix and Pepe immediately gave him the captain’s ribbon. The game was over for Ramos too. The triple goalscorer was replaced by Ricardo Horta. Shortly afterwards, Portugal had a well-positioned free-kick, which naturally became a top priority. However, Ronaldo chased the ball into the Swiss wall without causing any major damage (76′).

Ronaldo then had more chances to score the first goal in a World Cup knockout game of his career. In the 84th minute, the currently clubless superstar completed an action with a goal, but before that he was clearly offside. Shortly before that, he was unable to assert himself against a Swiss defender. The last goal of the game was reserved for Leao. The Milan striker, who had come on as a substitute a few minutes earlier, made the right point and scored a great shot into the cross corner (92′).

Comments on the game:

Fernando Santos (Team boss Portugal): “It wasn’t perfect, but we played very well, were well adjusted and very focused.”

Gonçalo Ramos (Three goalscorer Portugal): “I don’t know what to say. This is a dream coming true. I don’t know if I’ll start the next game, the coach has to decide that.”

Murat Sure (Team boss Switzerland): “We are sad. We intended to show a good game. We couldn’t implement what made us strong in the last few games. That certainly has something to do with the opponents, who were more dominant than we were. We have to accept that a lot of things didn’t work out. But I don’t blame the team. She tried everything, but it didn’t work.”

FIFA World Cup 2022, Round of 16

Tuesday:

Portugal – Switzerland 6: 1 (2: 0)

Lusail, Lusail Stadium, 83,720 spectators, SR Ramos (MEX)

Torfolge:
1:0 Ramos (17.)
2:0 Pepe (33.)
3:0 Ramos (51.)
4:0 Warrior (55.)
4:1 Akanji (58.)
5:1 Ramos (67.)
6:1 Lion (92.)

Portugal: Costa – Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro – William, Otavio (73./Vitinha) – B. Fernandes (87./Leao), B. Silva (81./Neves), J. Felix (73./Ronaldo) – Branches (73./Garden)

Switzerland: Summer – E. Fernandes, Akanji, Schär (46./Comert), Rodriguez – Xhaka, Freuler (54./Zakaria) – Shaqiri, Sow (54./Seferovic), Vargas (66./Okafor) – Embolo (89. /Jashari)

Yellow cards: none or Schär, Comert

The best: Ramos, Felix, Pepe, B. Fernandes