Fifa World Cup: Results and reactions from day 16
Portugal take on Switzerland in the World Cup looking to grab the final place in the quarter-finals in Qatar and a match against Morocco following their stunning win over Spain on penalties.
Portugal finished top of Group H despite their defeat to South Korea, but head coach Fernando Santos has dropped Cristiano Ronaldo following his reaction to being substituted in the 2-1 loss. Ronaldo’s performances have been generally underwhelming and the subject of criticism in Portugal, with the 37-year-old looking to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Switzerland will be hoping to spring an upset after they finished runner-up in Group G thanks to a dramatic and stormy 3-2 win over Serbia. The World Cup has been full of upsets so far, and Switzerland will be out to provide a late twist on what has been a dramatic day in Qatar. Follow all the action in our live blog below, following the conclusion of Morocco’s dramatic win against Spain.
Portugal 4-1 Switzerland
61 mins: It’s still a long way back for Switzerland but at least they’re showing a bit of fight. Akanji grabbed the ball out of the net and took it back to the centre circle to get the game restarted quickly. Another goal for the Swiss would make things interesting.
As it stands though Portugal are still firmly in control.
GOAL! Portugal 4-1 Switzerland (Akanji, 58’)⚽️
58 mins: Switzerland get one back! Breel Embolo wins his team a corner kick that is fizzed straight into the six-yard area. Goncalo Ramos wins the initial ball and glances it over to the back post where Manuel Akanji pops up with no defenders near him to tip the ball into the open net.
GOAL! Portugal 4-0 Switzerland (Guerreiro, 55’)⚽️
55 mins: Another one! Switzerland are all over the place defensively as Otavio wins the ball in the middle of the pitch. He gives it to Bruno Fernandes who sends the ball up to Goncalo Ramos.
Ramos feeds it into the left side of the box for the arrival of Raphael Guerreiro who brings the ball under control then smokes a powerful finish into the back of the net!
Portugal 3-0 Switzerland
54 mins: Switzerland are now staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat. Bruno Fernandes whips another corner into the box and Pepe rises above Embolo before nodding the ball down towards Joao Felix.
The ball doesn’t reach the forward and Switzerland get it clear. Goncalo Ramos will have having thoughts of a World Cup hat-trick now.
GOAL! Portugal 3-0 Switzerland (Ramos, 51’)⚽️
51 mins: Game over! What a brilliant t decision it was from Fernando Santos to start Goncalo Ramos tonight. Portugal send the ball over to Diogo Dalot on the right wing who carries the ball down the line before squaring a pass into the box.
Ramos makes a run to the near post, sneaks ahead of Ruben Vargas then pokes the ball through the legs of Yann Sommer to send his country into the quarter-finals.
Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
48 mins: Portugal win a corner early in the second half that gets flicked into the middle of the box. The ball comes loose but Ricard Rodriguez manages to prod it away and Switzerland get it booted down to the opposite end of the pitch.
Second half: Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
Switzerland have made a change at the break. Fabian Schar has gone off with Eray Comert coming on to replace him. Portugal get the ball rolling to start the second half having made no changes to their line-up.
HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
At 39 years & 283 days old Portugal defender Pepe is now the oldest ever player to score in a knockout stage game at the World Cup.
(REUTERS)
HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
Gonçalo Ramos scored more goals for Portugal in the World Cup knockout stages after 17 minutes (1) than Cristiano Ronaldo has in 514 minutes played in the competition’s knockout rounds (0).
HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
(PA)
(Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
