First Substitute Appearance in an A Match Since 2008
On the 7th (Korean time), Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a substitute in the Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Qatar at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar during the Qatar World Cup. Portugal, which excluded their national football star Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting lineup, crushed Switzerland and secured the last spot in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup.
On the 7th (Korean time), Portugal won 6-1 against Switzerland in the Round of 16 match held at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.
Portugal did not start Ronaldo in the lineup. Ronaldo had started in all three group stage matches.
◆70% of Domestic Fans Responded "Take Ronaldo Out of the Starting Lineup"
Fernando Santos, the coach of Portugal, expressed dissatisfaction at a press conference before the Round of 16, saying, "I did not like his behavior when Ronaldo was substituted in the third match against Korea."
Also, regarding Ronaldo's poor performance in the third match against Korea, a Portuguese media outlet reported, "70% answered no to the survey asking if Ronaldo should continue to start."
This is the first time Ronaldo has started a major tournament A-match such as the World Cup or European Championship from the bench since the 2008 European Championship match against Switzerland. Since then, he had started 31 consecutive matches.
Coincidentally, Gon?alo Ramos, who started instead of Ronaldo that day, shone brightly by scoring a hat-trick.
Born in 2001 and playing for Benfica in the Portuguese league, Ramos became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout stage (single-elimination matches after the group stage) since Pel? (Brazil), who scored a hat-trick at age 18 in the 1958 Sweden World Cup semifinal against France.
Ronaldo, who watched the game from the bench, was substituted in for Jo?o F?lix in the 74th minute of the second half with Portugal leading 5-1.
He showed a fairly good expression, occasionally smiling during the match.
Ronaldo took a free kick opportunity in the 75th minute but was blocked by the opposing defensive wall, and in the 83rd minute, he opened the opponent's goal but was ruled offside.
Switzerland, which scored a consolation goal by Manuel Akanji in the 58th minute while trailing 0-4, conceded two more goals afterward and suffered a powerless defeat by a five-goal margin.
◆Switzerland Eliminated in Round of 16 for the Third Consecutive Time
Switzerland was eliminated in the Round of 16 for the third consecutive time following the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. Switzerland's best World Cup performance was reaching the quarterfinals three times in 1934, 1938, and 1954.
With this match, all quarterfinalists of the Qatar World Cup have been decided. Portugal advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years since the 2006 Germany tournament.
Portugal finished fourth in 2006, reached the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, and was eliminated in the group stage in 2014.
◆Portugal Faces Morocco, Who Defeated Spain, in the Quarterfinals
Portugal will face Morocco, who eliminated Spain in a penalty shootout in an earlier match, in the quarterfinals.
After the Round of 16 matches, the Qatar World Cup will have a two-day rest period and then start the quarterfinals at 0:00 on the 10th (Korean time) with Croatia vs. Brazil and at 4:00 with the Netherlands vs. Argentina.
At 0:00 on the 11th, Morocco and Portugal will clash, followed by England and France at 4:00, competing for a spot in the semifinals.
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