FIFA World Cup: Goncalo Ramos inspires Portugal to 6-1 win over Switzerland as Morocco await in quarter-final

Goncalo Ramos produced a stunning performance with a hat-trick in the knockout match to lift Portugal to an impressive 6-1 victory over Switzerland.

Portugal cruise past Switzerland to book World Cup quarter-final clash against Morocco (AP Photo)

By Saurabh Kumar: A scintillating hat-trick from Goncalo Ramos gave free-scoring Portugal a 6-1 victory over Switzerland in their World Cup last-16 match on Tuesday as they set up a quarter-final clash with giant slayers Morocco. Notably, Portugal have stormed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos made the audacious decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with an artistic performance from his team. Ramos had only played 10 minutes as a substitute in Qatar, but the youngster gave Portugal, who did not miss Ronaldo – a late replacement who had a goal disallowed for offside – a memorable performance.

In the 17th minute, Ramos gave Portugal the lead after latching onto Joao Felix’s pass and smashing the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer at his near post from an acute angle. With a fingertip save from a late counter-attack, the Swiss goalkeeper denied Ramos his second goal of the half as the Portuguese led 2-0 at halftime.

Six minutes after the break, the 21-year-old Benfica striker scored his second goal, and Portugal’s third, by getting on the end of Diogo Dalot’s low cross, and he completed his hat trick in the 67th minute with a delicate finish.

After 33 minutes, Pepe doubled Portugal’s lead with a powerful header from a Bruno Fernandes corner, and Raphael Guerreiro scored their fourth goal in the 55th before Rafael Leao completed the rout with a curled finish in added time. Manuel Akanji scored a consolation goal for the Swiss just before the hour mark.

While Portugal ran riot with six goals in 90 minutes, the Swiss failed to attack despite enjoying plenty of possession.