Ronaldo a solitary figure after being benched at World Cup
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t start Portugal’s game against Switzerland in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The move came a day after his coach expressed frustration about Ronaldo’s attitude in the last match. Gonçalo Ramos started in Ronaldo’s place at Lusail Stadium. Ronaldo showed obvious displeasure at being removed from the game against South Korea on Friday. That led to Ramos getting the start. The 21-year-old made his international debut three weeks ago, then scored a hat trick in his first career start for Portugal, which came in the World Cup as Ronaldo’s replacement. Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Little known before World Cup, Ramos goals lift Portugal
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Gonçalo Ramos showed that he has the goods and the goals to stand in for Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring a hat trick at the World Cup in his first start for Portugal’s national team. Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time. Ramos says “not even in my wildest dreams did I think about being part of the starting team for the knockout stage.” Those three goals and the smoking pistols goal celebration instantly made Ramos one of the sport’s hottest prospects. Portugal will face Morocco on Saturday for a spot in the semifinals.