In the build up to the game, the big story was Cristiano Ronaldo starting on the bench for Portugal in this high stakes last-16 matchup.
The last time that Portugal started a major tournament knockout game without Ronaldo on the pitch was at the Euro 2000 semi-final. Whether the decision to sit the country’s record goalscorer was the right one was left to be seen.
His replacement, Benfica’s 21-year-old starlet, Gonçalo Ramos was making his first ever international start and the spotlight was on him to show that he could lead the line and oh did he shine.
The striker justified the manager’s decision just 17 minutes into the game when he received a pass from Joao Felix inside the box before slamming an effort high into the net. He added two more in the second half, to mark a memorable full international debut.
His three goals made him the youngest male player to score a hat trick in a World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958.
He also turned provider for left-back Raphael Guerreiro with Pepe and Rafael Leao added two more goals to make it six for the Portugese.
Pepe’s goal meant he became the oldest scorer in a World Cup knockout game, scoring at the age of 39.
Switzerland got one goal in the 58th minute via a Manual Akanji header but it was only a consolation.
The 6-1 win was Portugal’s first knockout victory since the 2006 World Cup in Germany as they prepare to face Morocco in the quarter finals.
