Hat-trick hero, Gonçalo Ramos steals the show as Portugal recorded an astonishing 6-1 win over Switzerland to reach the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Fernando Santos picked Benfica striker, Gonçalo Ramos ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as he explained ahead of kickoff that it was a tactical decision and in the end, he must be pleased with himself for making that call.
The Benfica striker becomes the first player in the ongoing tournament to score a hat-trick and only the second Portugal player after Eusebio in 1966 to do so.
Ramos got Portugal off to a dream start seventeen minutes into his first international start. The striker received a pass from Joao Felix in the box then took a turn before firing an absolute rocket past Sommer.
In the 33rd minute, Pepe becomes the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup final after his rise highest to head home a Bruno Fernandes’ corner and made it 2-0 to his nation.
Gonçalo Ramos forced a big save off Sommer late in the half and unable to add a third, Portugal took a much deserved two goal lead to the break and continued their dominance at the start of the second half.
Gonçalo Ramos got his second of the night, six minutes after the interval. Quick feet from Diogo Dalot down the right to beat a defender before whipping a low cross into the box, which was met by a touch from the striker and the ball ends in the back of the net.
Switzerland, who conceded three goals in three group games were about to experience the worst as just after four minutes of conceding a third in the match, Portugal caught them on the break and Ramos feeds Raphael Guerrero, who fired into the roof of the net for 4-0 Portugal.
Murat Yakin’s men got a consolation just two minutes before the hour mark. Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner was flicked on by Gonçalo Ramos only for the ball to fall to Manuel Akanji at the back post, who tapped home a simple finish.
Ramos became the first player to score a hat-trick in the ongoing tournament in the 67th minute. Joao Felix did well to play him through for a simple but tidy finish as the striker still had to beat the on rushing Sommer.
Cristiano Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net ruled out for offisde and it was fellow substitute, Rafael Leao who capped off the 6-1 scoreline with a delightful curling effort deep into added time.
Portugal earn a massive win and reach the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2006 in Germany and awaiting them in the last eight is Morocco, who defeated Spain on penalties to achieved an historical win.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
