Portugal vs Switzerland Highlights: Portugal crush Switzerland 6-1 to storm into quarter-finals

Goncalo Ramos scored a stunning hat-trick as a slick Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to storm into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Portugal coach Fernando Santos took the brave call to bench Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with an artful display from his side as they set up a last-eight clash with Morocco, who stunned Spain in a penalty shootout earlier on Tuesday.

Match Report: Ramos scores a hat-trick as Portugal demolish Switzerland 6-1 to storm into quarters

Young Goncalo Ramos scored the first hat-trick of the FIFA World Cup 2022 to power a rampant Portugal into the quarter-finals on Wednesday. The 21-year-old striker helped Portugal demolish Switzerland 6-1 in their Round of 16 encounter at the Lusail stadium. Portugal coach Fernando Santos took a brave decision to start Ramos in place of their record goal-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and it paid off handsomely for them. Portugal will meet Morocco, who beat Spain 3-0 on penalties earlier on Tuesday, in their first last eight appearance since 2006.

FT - It's all over! Portugal crush Switzerland 6-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Morocco

Goncalo Ramos scored a stunning hat-trick as a slick Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to storm into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Portugal coach Fernando Santos took the brave call to bench Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with an artful display from his side as they set up a last-eight clash with Morocco, who stunned Spain in a penalty shootout earlier on Tuesday. Ramos, making his first start at the World Cup, gave Portugal the lead in the 17th minute after latching onto Joao Felix's pass and smashing the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer at his near post from an acute angle. The 21-year-old Benfica striker scored his second, and Portugal's third, six minutes after the break by getting onto the end of Diogo Dalot's low cross and he completed his hat-trick in the 67th with a delicate dinked finish. Pepe had doubled Portugal's lead with a powerful header from a Bruno Fernandes corner after 33 minutes and Raphael Guerreiro rifled in their fourth in the 55th before Rafael Leao completed the rout in added time with a curled finish. Manuel Akanji scored a consolation goal for the Swiss from a corner just before the hour.

92' - GOAL!!! Substitute Rafael Leao makes it 6-1 for Portugal

What a night for Portugal. Leao scored a wonderful goal. The substitute received the ball from Guerreiro, cut inside from the left and curled an unstoppable shot past the wrong-footed Swiss keeper Sommer. What a strike!