Dec. 6 (UPI) — Portugal advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals Tuesday after trouncing Switzerland 6-1 in Qatar, as Portugal’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo sat out the game and watched his replacement Goncalo Ramos score the first hat trick of the World Cup.
Ramos, 21, made his first international start for Portugal at Lusail stadium and scored his three goals in a little over an hour, after Ronaldo, 37, was dropped from the lineup against Switzerland following a dispute from Portugal’s previous match.
Ramos’ three goals helped lift Portugal in its 6-1 win over Switzerland to land a spot in the quarterfinals against Morocco on Saturday. It is the first time since 2006, Portugal men’s national team has made the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
Ramos scored his first goal on a quick turn in the first half that caught Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer off guard.
He scored his second off a pass from Diogo Dalot’s low cross six minutes after halftime.
Ramos’ third goal came 15 minutes later earning him player of the match and making him the first player to score a hat trick in a World Cup dominating match since Brazil legend Pele in 1958.
During the Round of 16 match, Portugal scored three additional goals to Switzerland’s one, with Pepe, 39, thumping a header to become the oldest scorer in a World Cup victory.
Raphael Guerreiro also scored with with a powerful strike for Portugal’s fourth goal, as Switzerland answered back at 58 minutes with its only goal of the match as Manuel Akanji found space at the back post of the corner.
As Ramos sealed the victory, Portugal’s coach allowed Ronaldo to put on his jersey and enter at 72 minutes as striker Rafael Leao netted Portugals’ sixth and final goal of the match.
While Ronaldo’s late appearance drew a huge cheer from the crowd, it is still unclear whether the soccer legend will make the starting line-up for Saturday’s quarterfinals match after Portugal netted what is considered to be its best performance of the tournament with Ramos.
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