Portuguese Football in English
It was a painful end to Portugal’s World Cup 2022 campaign, and neither the coach Fernando Santos nor the players made any attempts to sugar-coat their huge disappointment after losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
While giving credit to Morocco, the underlying feeling was that of an opportunity lost. PortuGOAL rounds up the post-match reaction.
Portugal’s 2022 World Cup campaign ended in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 defeat to Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium.
The Seleção found it hard to create chances before allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to head home a cross in the 42nd minute.
Ronaldo was introduced after the break, setting up a chance for João Félix who forced a fine save from Yassine Bounou.
It wasn't to be however, the Atlas Lions doing what they do best and holding on for another famous win to become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall reports from Qatar
The Seleção players were understandably in jubilant and jocular mood after the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland. Several mentioned the “punishment” Gonçalo Ramos will have to endure (paying for dinner for everyone) after his astonishing man-of-the-match performance and hat-trick.
Nevertheless, the coach and the players were also at pains to point out the difficulties they will face when taking on Morocco in the quarter-finals. PortuGOAL rounds up the post-game quotes.
It will be considered one of the most iconic performances in Portugal’s World Cup history.
The floodgates broke open as our beloved Seleção gave Switzerland six-of-the-best at Lusail Stadium and progressed into the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Unlike previous instances where Portugal took an early lead only to concede initiative to the opposition, there was no such let up. Individual excellence was widespread on the pitch, but one man stood out above all the rest.
PortuGOAL.net’s Nathan Motz is on hand once again to rate each player’s contribution.
Portugal smashed Switzerland 6-1 at Lusail Iconic Stadium to storm into the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
Gonçalo Ramos was a surprise starter at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo, the 21-year-old opening the scoring in the 17th minute before Pepe headed the Seleção into a 2-0 lead at half-time.
The goals kept flowing after the break, Ramos steering the ball through Yann Sommer and Raphaël Guerreiro bursting clear to score which made Manuel Akanji’s goal insignificant.
Ramos produced a clever finish to complete his hat-trick before Rafael Leão came off the bench with a trademark goal in added time.
Fernando Santos’ side have become the third Portuguese team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. They will face Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on 10 December.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from Qatar
