Portugal proved to be a great team that doesn’t need Cristiano Ronaldo and beat Switzerland

Where is Cristiano Ronaldo? The question of many unsuspecting fans began to circulate in the stands of the imposing Lusail Stadium when they did not see the 37-year-old star in the headlines. However, Portugal were by no means short of their idol: they pulverized Switzerland 6-1 with a hat-trick from Gonçalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement, who started on the bench out of anger with the coach. The Portuguese cast will now meet surprising Morocco in the quarter-finals, who eliminated Spain on penalties.

There was no need for CR7 to sort out the standings without setbacks. Portugal had a hierarchy to spare with the lucidity and imbalance of Joao Félix, the panorama of Bruno Fernandes and the goal share of Goncalo Ramosthe one chosen by coach Fernando Santos to replace the punished Cristiano.

In the first accurate shot on target, the 21-year-old who plays for Benfica broke the Swiss goal. It was with a powerful left foot to seal an action from the side that Joao Félix received and moved towards the area.

Switzerland’s five-man defense certainly didn’t work. Each time Portugal advanced, they found a hole to play with notoriously comfortable. Murat Yakin opted to deploy his wingers high up, which left a huge space behind them, exploited by his rival, of course.

Lying on the left, Joao Félix has been a lot for the Swiss. From a header that Fabian Schär deflected (almost hit) for a corner, came the double. Pepe soared in the skies and his baldness prevailed against centre-backs, Manuel Akanji and Schär, to poke the ball into the net.

The Alps set was Xherdan Shaqiri and ten others. But only the experienced Swiss figure could not. He came close to scoring from a free-kick, but Diogo Costa just missed it from a corner kick. The bianconeri ran another risk when Edimilson Fernandes scored a cross from the right that went on goal, Costa rebounded, Remo Freuler replied, but Diogo Dalot deactivated.

But everything returned to normal in the game in a short time. Bruno Fernandes assisted Ramos, who was about to score the third and found Sommer’s timely glove which blocked a (almost) certain goal.

Switzerland could not continue like this and changed at half-time. The introduction of Eray Cömert disarmed the defense of five players which was a total disaster to rearm the tie in a 4-2-3-1. But the remedy was worse… The Swiss have not changed their defensive themes. And everything was for the worst.

Ramos sang a brace without ruffling his hair taking advantage of Dalot’s assistance in one of his excursions on the right wing. If a small ray of hope had gleamed on the Swiss with Manuel Akanji’s goal from a corner, it was extinguished after two minutes.

A perfectly articulated counter-attack led to the fourth Portuguese celebration. It all started with a cue in the middle of the field from Otávio that sped up the game. Joao Félix led and Ramos assisted Raphael Guerreiro, who did not fail. Too many freedoms at the back of Switzerland translated into too many goals from Portugal.

The tally would rise with another great goal from Ramos to complete a world hat-trick with subtle definition before the keeper was gone. The pass to allow him to go on goal was Joao Félix, once again.

With everything sorted out, from the stands began to rumble the “Ronaaaaaldo!”. It is again. Until Santos satisfied the public who had come to see him at the former Manchester United: Cristiano replaced Félix 18 minutes from the end.

What remained was the attraction of seeing the Insect try to score your goal. She did it but it wasn’t worth it for a clear offside. Instead, the flashes went with Rafael Leao who put his bow on the sensational victory with a shot to be placed at the far post.

Ronaldo, who had celebrated all his teammates’ goals from the bench, always with a good face, was left with the desire to shout one of his own.

Portugal didn’t care, you know They have a team that doesn’t need a star figure to be excited about Qatar 2022.

Lusail, Qatar. Special delivery.