FIFA World Cup 2022, Match 56: Goncalo Ramos’ Hat Trick helps Portugal to defeat Switzerland 6-1

Portugal locked horns with Switzerland in the ongoing FIFA World Cup on 7 December 2022. It was the eighth encounter of the Round of 16 that took place in Lusail Stadium. Portugal sealed the top spot in Group H. They won two out of three games while South Korea handed them a shocking 2-1 defeat.

On the other hand, Switzerland finished at the second spot in Grup G behind Brazil. They also managed to win two out of their three games. So, fans were hoping for a good contest between these two teams. But, fans become surprised when they saw that Cristiano Ronaldo failed to get a place in the final playing XI in the clash. 

Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2022

Portugal did not face any trouble without Ronaldo as they found the net early in the 17th minute. Goncalo Ramos gave the lead to his country with an outrageous strike. Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer had no clue while he tried to save it. However, Joao Felix assisted in that buildup. Then, Pepe doubled the lead for Portugal in the 33rd minute.

Bruno Fernandes delivered a fantastic ball from a corner which Pepe managed to hit with a thumping header. After that, Sommer denied Ramos from scoring his second and Portugal’s third with a great save in the 42nd minute. With this goal, Pepe became the oldest player to score a goal in a knockout game in the World Cup. Thus, the first half ended 2-0. In the second half, Portugal extended their lead in the 51st minute. Goncalo Ramos scored his second while Diogo Dalot came up with the assist.

Then, in the 55th minute, Raphael Guerreiro made it 4-0 for Portugal while Goncalo Ramos assisted him. After that, Switzerland managed to pull back one goal through Manual Akanji. He managed to score that goal from a corner in the 58th minute. But, Ramos managed to score his first hat trick in the 67th minute while Joao Felix came up with the assist. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo came as a sub in the 73rd minute. Then, in 90+2′ minutes, Rafael Leao made it 6-1 with a fantastic finish while Raphael Guerreiro assisted him. Finally, the game ended 6-1 in favor of Portugal and they stormed into the Quarter-finals.