Portugal have a World Cup quarter-final spot within reach, and it is no small part down to the big decisions made by Fernando Santos.
Ahead of their tie against Switzerland, Santos decided to go with youth ahead of experience by selecting Goncalo Ramos ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Often Santos’ Portugal can be accused of being conservative, but in this match, they have been free-flowing and fluid.
Ramos opened the scoring after barely a quarter of an hour, followed by a towering Pepe header. Just six minutes into the second half, Ramos had a brace and Portugal were firmly in control.
WHAT A NIGHT HE'S HAVING!! 🤩@Goncalo88Ramos bags his second goal of the night on just his fourth ever appearance for Portugal!! 🇵🇹
Is this the end of the road for Switzerland…? 😬#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/gABdGstysT
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
Have yourself a day Gonçalo Ramos 🔥🔥🔥
Portugal is cruising against Switzerland 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/ahQGkmDJKL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 6, 2022
ramos goal. dalot assist 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MpxzrVx9JX
— Edona (@utdedona) December 6, 2022
It looked as if it might get ugly shortly after, with Raphael Guerreiro converting a simple chance with an excellent finish.
Finished it like a centre-forward!! 🙌
This Portugal team are tearing it up against Switzerland right now! 🇵🇹#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DWYRDQEn6P
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
GOOOOOAAALL Guerreiro scores Fourth one for Portugal
Via 🎥: @golazo_cr7#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022#FIFAWorldCup#Qatar2022 #كأس_العالم_قطر_2022 pic.twitter.com/hplpOG1Qc6
— Faster (@samdehaber1) December 6, 2022
PORTUGAL IS FLYING 🇵🇹
Raphaël Guerreiro makes it 4-0 💪 pic.twitter.com/mnTNms5NT6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 6, 2022
Switzerland did finally muster a response just two minutes later, with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji tapping home from a set-piece.
A nice consolation goal for Switzerland! 🇨🇭
Is it too late to pull off the comeback…? 🤔#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/z7LpdSlcTY
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
Switzerland takes one back!
Manuel Akanji cuts Portugal's lead back to 3 pic.twitter.com/Ci8YtLUUO6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 6, 2022
Watch: Akanji scores one for Switzerland and puts the score 1-4. pic.twitter.com/7wBDn9FThH
— Underdog Soccer (@Underdog_Soccer) December 6, 2022
If Switzerland can turn it into a meaningful goal, it will be one of the all-time great comebacks.