The player that replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting line-up tonight, Goncalo Ramos, scored the first hat-trick of the Qatar 2022 World Cup as they defeated Switzerland 6-1 in Doha.
With the victory, Portugal reached their first quarter-final of the global showpiece since 2006.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos took the bold step to drop the underperforming Ronaldo to the bench and was rewarded with a match-winning performance from the 21-year-old Ramos.
Santos was displeased by gestures made by Ronaldo when he was substituted in their last group game against South Korea and it was the first time in 31 games since 2008 that the 37-year-old has not started in a major tournament.
Portugal obviously did not miss their captain as Ramos marked his first start with the tremendous treble and an assist.
Benfica striker Ramos, who scored on his debut in the 4-0 win over Nigeria in a friendly just before the World Cup, started the rout tonight after 17 minutes when he powered a finish past Swiss goalkeeper Jan Sommer at the near post.
Veteran 39-year-old defender Pepe doubled Portugal’s lead in the 33rd minute, heading in Bruno Fernandes’ corner.
Ramos’ fairy tale continued when he netted at the near post from Diogo Dalot’s cross six minutes after the break, and the striker then set up Raphael Guerriero to make it 4-0 four minutes later.
Manchester City defender with Nigerian heritage Manuel Akanji pulled one back for Switzerland in the 58th minute, but Ramos was not done yet.
He got his third goal with a smart chip on the breakaway as Portugal looked relentless in their pursuit of more goals.
Santos brought on Ronaldo 16 minutes from time and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had the ball in the net shortly after, but it was from an offside position.
Substitute Rafael Leao put the icing on a dazzling display when he curled in the sixth in stoppage time.
Portugal will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
