Portugal made headlines before, during and after the game with Swiss. Before, when it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo It would not be the owner and would go to the bank. During, because he swept the Swiss team by beating them 6 to 1 with three goals from CR7’s replacement, the youthful Gonçalo Ramos, and one from Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao (Akanji discounted for Switzerland). Later, because it was confirmed that in the quarterfinals they will face Morocco on Saturday at 12 in Argentina.
The Portuguese gave a resounding show of authority and overwhelmed the Swiss who, after Ramos’s first goal, 16 minutes into the first half, disappeared from the pitch and they gave all sorts of defensive advantages.
Balanced in the middle, with Diego Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro starting on the flanks, the volume of play provided by Bruno Fernandes, the speed of Joao Felix and the forcefulness of Ramos, Portugal filled all the requirements to be considered a great candidate for the title.
There was a question as to whether the absence of CR7, due to an alleged confrontation with coach Fernando Santos, would benefit or harm the Portuguese team. And really, there were several players who, freed from the presence of crack and constantly searching for it, gave their best. Joao Felix, for example, moved around the entire attack front and connected with Ramos in a way he hadn’t been able to do with Cristiano in previous games. Y the youthful center forward of Benfica, who also scored the first World Cup hat trick, they exhibited finishing power that Portugal had not displayed in the group stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo entered in the last seventeen minutes and it became clear that it will be almost impossible for him to regain ownership. Much more so when his replacement scored three goals and turned out to be the great figure of the match. Although there was a gesture that drew attention: When he was about to enter the field, Pepe, who was the captain, came running to the side and put the tape on him in public recognition of his authority and ascendancy in the squad.
footballingly, Portugal was noted in the list of great favourites, although they will have to overcome Morocco and the winner of England and France before reaching the grand final on Sunday the 18th. They overwhelmed Switzerland in just over half an hour of the first half and then rounded off a forceful performance. It will be necessary to see if the confrontation between the coach Fernando Santos and Cristiano Ronaldo does not end up affecting the internal life of the team, after having played one of the most convincing matches of the World Cup.