Goncalo Ramos scores first hat-trick of Qatar 2022 as Portugal breeze past Switzerland 6-1 to reach QF

Dhaka
December 07, 2022, 03:02 AM
by Faisal Moarafur Rasul

UNB News
Dhaka
Publish- December 07, 2022, 03:02 AM
Faisal Moarafur Rasul
Update- January 10, 2023, 07:11 PM

Goncalo Ramos scores first hat-trick of Qatar 2022 as Portugal breeze past Switzerland 6-1 to reach QF

Portugal's Goncalo Ramos, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his his side's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Switzerland, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. Photo Credit: AP

Goncalo Ramos scored the first hat-trick of Qatar 2022 in Portugal's Round of 16 fixture against Switzerland and helped his team win the match 6-1. With this victory, Portugal have booked their place in the quarterfinals. Switzerland's World Cup journey, on the other hand, have ended in a disappointing manner.

FIFA World Cup 2022 match report: Portugal vs Switzerland

Putting Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, Portugal started the match with a 4-3-3 formation. In place of Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos started along with Joao Felix, and what a great decision it turned out to be by coach Fernando Santos. Portugal only had to wait 17 minutes to get their first goal of the night as Ramos opened the scoring for them. 16 minutes later, veteran Pepe doubled the lead for Portugal with a header from close range into the top left corner.

Switzerland's game plan halted dramatically after conceding two early goals in the first half. They devised a 3-1-4-2 system with the goal of controlling the midfield with a crowded midfield. But that didn't work out at all, as they continued to concede goals in the second half. Goncalo Ramos made the scoreline 3-0 in the 51st minute, and four minutes later Raphael Guerreiro scored the fourth for Portugal.

Within three minutes, Switzerland got one back thanks to Manuel Akanji's goal, but by that time it was all but over for them. Portugal's rampage against Switzerland continued when Goncalo Ramos completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute with a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner.

The Swiss campaign was completely disorganized, with no idea what to do to prevent this against Portugal. Rafael Leao made it even sour for the Swiss side when he scored the sixth one in the 92nd minute, making the final scoreline 6-1. Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench in the second half and scored, but his goal was disallowed due to an offside trap.

Aftermath

This World Cup saw the first hat-trick in the last match of the Round of 16, as Portugal's Goncalo Ramos achieved it against Switzerland. Portugal will face off against a rejuvinated Moroccan team on Saturday, December 10, in their quarterfinal match of the Qatar World Cup. The Portuguese side's dominant victory over Switzerland will boost their confidence heading into the next knockout match.