Portuguese Football in English
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
The pre-match press conference ahead of Portugal’s last-16 World Cup clash against Switzerland tomorrow was largely dominated by the latest Cristiano Ronaldo polemic.
Nothing new there. Only this time, Portugal coach Fernando Santos did not hold back in criticising his captain for his reaction upon being substituted against South Korea in the Seleção’s final group match.
Portugal play Switzerland on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The two nations know each other well having met on five occasions in recent years, when the home team has always come out on top: Portugal 3 victories, Switzerland 2.
The historical head-to-head record also points to evenly matched teams. In 25 matches Switzerland have won 11, Portugal 9 and there have been 5 draws. But what is the current version of Switzerland all about? Swiss football expert Craig King has the answer.
