Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement Goncalo Ramos marked his first Portugal start with a stunning hat-trick as Fernando Santos’ side hit Switzerland for six on their way to the World Cup quarter-finals.
The 37-year-old recently left Manchester United under a cloud and has at times cast a shadow over his team in Qatar, where his manager expressed unhappiness about his reaction to being substituted against South Korea.
Santos took the eye-catching decision to drop Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 clash against Switzerland, with the Portugal talisman eventually coming onto a rapturous reaction with his side already home and hosed.
The veteran was the focus of every camera lens before kick-off but it was the 21-year-old playing in his place who left with the man of the match award, vindicating Santos in a 6-1 win that sets up a quarter-final against Morocco.