Goncalo Ramos hits hat-trick in place of Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal romp
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.
Ramos thrashed in a spectacular left-footed laser 17 minutes into his full debut, which Pepe added to with a powerful header as the 39-year-old became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history.
Portugal continued in the ascendancy after half-time as Ramos turned home from close range before playing in Raphael Guerreiro to open up a four-goal advantage.
The Benfica striker was disappointed to flick on a Swiss corner for Manuel Akanji to pull one back but became the first player in Qatar to score a hat-trick by coolly clipping over Yann Sommer.
The crowd chanted Ronaldo’s name and got their wish as he came on, with the star seeing a goal disallowed for offside before fellow substitute Rafael Leao curled home a beauty.
Ramos grinned at full-time as he left with the match ball for a treble that started with a stunner.
Swiss goalkeeper Sommer looked over his