Xtra Time Web Desk: Goncalo Ramos scored the first hat-trick (17’, 51’ & 67’) in FIFA World Cup 2022 as Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 to sail into the quarter finals. The youngster justified the team management’s decision to give him a start in place of Cristiano Ronaldo. Pepe (33′), Raphael Guerreiro (55′) and Rafael Leão (90+2′) were the other goal scorers for Portugal.
The big news at the start of the match was Ronaldo not featuring in start list of Fernando Santos. It was the fallout of Ronaldo’s reaction after he was substituted in Portugal’s last game.
Ramos opened the scoring for Portugal in the 15th minute with a thunderous effort that was past Yann Sommer before he could react. Portugal extended the lead before the interval when 39-year-old Pepe scored in the 33rd minute. Ramos scored his second goal in the match in the 51st minute. Left-back Raphael Guerreiro got in act in the 55th minute, scoring a third goal for his side from a Ramos assist.
Manuel Akanji pulled one back for the Swiss three minutes later.
Ramos was on target again in the 67th minute, scoring the first hat-trick of this World Cup, delicately chipping Sommer to emphatically vindicate his manager’s faith. Portugal added a sixth in the injury time with Rafael Leao curling exquisitely into the corner in added time.
Portugal will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The winner of that game will play either England or France in the World Cup semi-finals.