What a change, what a triumph: Portugal voluntarily competed without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in the World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday evening (December 6th, 2022) – and his representative dismantled Switzerland almost single-handedly.
In the 6:1 (2:0) humiliation for the Swiss, who have been so refreshingly cheeky so far in this tournament, Portugal’s starting eleven debutant and Ronaldo representative Gonçalo Ramos became the hero of the evening with three goals – CR7 only came when the game was long overdue was decided. “It’s a dream come true, I still can’t believe it all”, said the youngster following the final whistle, visibly moved. That on Saturday (December 10, 2022, 4 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de) in the quarterfinals once morest Morocco from the start once more should be considered safe following this show.
“Strategic reasons – only for this game”
Before the kick-off, national coach Fernando Santos had expressly emphasized that his decision for the 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos and once morest Ronaldo was not because of his bad-tempered departure following being substituted once morest South Korea: the measure would alone “strategic reasons for this game”and of course he had to emphasize once more when asked: “It’s nothing more. Cristiano is a professional and will give everything following his substitution.”
The 37-year-old sang along with the anthem with fervor, but the change was noticeable on the field: Without a clear fixed point in the middle, all the other offensive players might feel more movement, more changes of position, simply more freedom.
Full instep in the corner
The train to the goal was initially missing, but that changed abruptly. In the 17th minute, João Félix put the ball through to Gonçalo Ramos, who just hit it hard with the full instep from the half-left with an angle that wasn’t too good – the ball surprised Yann Sommer in the near corner and hit the corner at 106 kilometers per hour.
It was the Portuguese’s first shot on goal and confirmed Fernando Santos’ spectacular personal decision: the young Benfica striker had accumulated a full 33 minutes of international play before this round of 16, and he converted his first chance straight away. Incidentally, also to the visible joy of CR7, who made his way from his bench to the corner flag to celebrate together with his colleagues.
CR7 in the jubilee cluster
The goal now arranged the conditions on the lawn clearly in favor of the Portuguese. Otávio might have raised following a precise cross from Raphael Guerreiro and Gonçalo Ramos once more. Switzerland were only threatened by a Xherdan Shaqiri free-kick, which Diogo Costa deflected just wide of the right post.
Cristiano Ronaldo jumps up – quite unusual with a substitute shirt
Then Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to cheer in the grape once more, this time even with an even older companion. After a near-own goal by Fabian Schär, Bruno Fernandes hit a corner kick sharply into the center, where the defensive legend Pepe, surrounded by Schär and Manuel Akanji, screwed himself up – and headed the ball in with all his will and power to make it 2-0 (33rd minute). ). Pepe became the oldest goalscorer in a knockout round at the World Cup at 39 years and 283 days. Only Cameroon’s Roger Milla was even older when scoring in the group stage.
Summer saves strong
Sommer had no chance in this scene, but was then able to excel once more: In the 43rd minute, Gonçalo Ramos appeared free once more in front of him, shot precisely once morest the direction of the keeper – but he just got his fingertips on the Ball and saved the 0:2 in the break.
It was actually time to regroup, change offensively, change direction – but nothing changed at all. Switzerland still didn’t find a plan forward, defended far too airy – and following five minutes the lid was on.
Dalot flanks, Gonçalo Ramos hits
It was amazing how much space the Swiss, who were still so aggressive once morest Serbia, left on the flank Diogo Dalot, whose right flank was once more used by Gonçalo Ramos to make it 3-0 – through Sommer’s legs.
Only then did the Swiss coach Murat Yakin try to set the tone with a double substitution in the 54th minute, but seconds later the debacle took its course: Guerreiro marched unhindered towards Sommer and chased the ball under the bar to make it 4-0.
The fans demand Ronaldo
Switzerland came following a corner to 1: 4 through Akanji (58th), but the stadium had long since had another topic: “Ronaldoooooo” chants were always loud. However, it was not coach Fernando Santos who initially felt addressed, but Ronaldo representative Gonçalo Ramos – who scored the 5-1 in the 66th minute with a brilliant lob. But that wasn’t the end of the performance either: Rafael Leão flicked the ball into the goal in the 92nd minute to make it 6-1 following the summer had long since unnerved us.
Incidentally, Ronaldo was allowed to play from the 73rd minute and appeared twice more dangerously in the Swiss penalty area. But he was denied a goal – and the heroic role that evening had long since been assigned elsewhere.
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