World Cup: Ramos scores hat-trick as Portugal thrash Switzerland

1. Use audio icon at top of page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary from Lusail Iconic Stadium
2. RESULT: Portugal 6-1 Switzerland - Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI, scores a hat-trick. Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also on target
3. Manuel Akanji scores consolation goal for Switzerland
4. Portugal will face Morocco, who beat Spain on penalties in their last-16 match, in the quarter-finals on Saturday

'Ronaldo will want to prove he can be counted on'

Jose Fonte

Portugal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is a big decision, a lot have been discussed about what was said with Cristiano Ronaldo and his comments. If it goes well for Santos, he'll be the best. If it doesn't go for Portugal, a lot of questions will be asked but that's football.

Diogo Dalot had an extremely good game, in the previous game, he created an assist, he's been playing well for Man United as well so it's not a strange decision [picking him instead of Joao Cancelo].

If Cristiano comes on, I'm sure he will be eager to affect the game to score goals and to prove that he can still be counted on.

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

A HUGE roar from the Portugal fans as Cristiano Ronaldo's face is shown on the screen during the national anthem.

Here come the two teams and lots of photographers have their cameras focused on the Portugal bench as we begin the national anthems.

'We'd love to give our fans one more game'

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Switzerland won two of their matches in the group stage at this year's World Cup and are looking to win three games in a single World Cup tournament for the first time in their history.

They are the underdogs for this game but coach Murat Yakin says his players are excited by the challenge ahead.

"We're very much looking forward to this game," he said. "It's a big opportunity for us to make history for Switzerland.

"We've seen how euphoric the people are about the fact that we are at this stage and, of course, we'd love to give our fans one more game.

"We're very ready for the game."

'Closest match of the last 16'

Simon Gleave

Head of sports analysis, Nielsen Gracenote

Portugal against Switzerland completes this round of the 2022 World Cup. The Portuguese are currently ranked seventh on Gracenote's world ranking with Switzerland 15th, making this the closest match of this round.

Portugal have 57% chance of progress to the quarter-finals and Switzerland 43% according to Gracenote's forecast.

The next closest match, between Japan and Croatia yesterday, ended in a penalty shoot-out.

'The right call'

A big call, but the right call. He seems to have forgotten it's a team game. Watch the Brazilian players, hugs and encouragement, the team wins!

Chris

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'Not worth indulging Ronaldo'

Adam Crafton

Reporter for The Athletic, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

Generally managers and head coaches are prepared to indulge and forgive just about anything from professional players as long as the form is good.

I think the reality is that Cristiano Ronaldo's' managers at international and club level are starting to wonder whether the trade off is worth it.

You look at the players that they would have around him, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, would they benefit from having more mobile forward players rather than Ronaldo and I think maybe that's the decision that has been taken.

There are so many supporters in the stadium who have Portugal shirts on with Ronaldo on their back. They might be disappointed tonight.

'Ronaldo saved for later?'

Is it possible that the Portuguese manager has thought: I need Ronaldo on the pitch if this goes to penalties. The best way to do that is not to start him and with 5 subs, he can bring Ronaldo on at half time.

Mark

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A 14-year run ended

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Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't been named in Portugal's starting XI for a game at a major tournament for the first time since 2008 (also against Switzerland), ending a 31-game streak in which he had been a starter.

Record in Shaqiri's sights

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Xherdan Shaqiri needs one goal to equal Josef Hügi's record as Switzerland’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals.

Ronaldo gets the acclaim

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Lusail Stadium

Huge cheers for Cristiano Ronaldo's name when it is read out among the list of Portugal substitutes. Think a lot of fans are still in shock, especially locals who had come to see the superstar in the flesh.

'Man Utd not the problem?'

Maybe Man Utd weren't the problem then?

Tim

I hope the Portugal lineup will convince avid Ronald fans that Erik had a valid reason to bench Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Emmanuel

'Dropping Ronaldo is a huge call'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is a huge call by Fernando Santos. The size of the player, the size of the occasion and everything that comes with it but also, who is going to replace him?

Then you're looking around and it comes to a youngster who has barely played, looks lively, looks sharp, looks like a good centre-forward, a proper number nine who plays on the shoulder and waits for the ball in the penalty area.

You think about the size of the game and what it means, it's huge. So we'll have to see how the game pans out.

Ronaldo still has support

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Lusail Stadium

Cristiano Ronaldo is still feeling some love in Lusail Stadium. A section of support has just held up a giant banner emblazoned with the words "Ronaldo We Have Come For You."

Well, they'll have to wait. Or maybe not see him at all.

'Ronaldo could have been the best'

Ronaldo for me would have been the best ever, until his ego overtook his performances. Now he needs 2 planes. One for himself and another for his ego. No such problems for Messi, who gets my vote.

VP

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'Warming up with the subs'

What now for Ronaldo?

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Lusail Stadium

How will Cristiano Ronaldo react to being left on the bench? We saw at Manchester United that it was with petulance but coach Fernando Santos clearly has no problems making that big call.

The stakes are hight for Santos but he still has plenty of talent to call on in that starting line-up.

Knockouts no fun for Ronaldo

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Maybe tactically it is no bad thing that Cristiano Ronaldo is on the bench?

All eight of his World Cup goals have come in the group stage of the competition, the most goals scored by a player in the tournament's history without ever netting in the knockout rounds.

Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in any of his six knockout appearances for Portugal at the World Cup, despite playing 514 minutes and having 25 total goal attempts.

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'We're going home'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

BBC Sport

I found some Portugal fans having a dance as we made our way up the steps to our media seats in the stadium.

I let them have their moment then said: "Have you heard? Ronaldo is on the bench."

Their faces dropped. "NO. He's not playing?"

I confirmed it again.

"You're joking?" Again, I insisted. They turned around and called their friend back (he had Ronaldo's name on the back of his shirt) "We're going home."

And I don't think they meant from the tournament - they meant tonight! They were going to sack off the game! Surely not?