Portugal annihilates Switzerland, Morocco dumps Spain
By Gerald Lutchman
IN a day of mixed matches – one a complete beatdown and the other a penalty shootout – it was a joy to see Portugal put in the most commanding performance of the Round of 16.
Portugal 6 vs Switzerland 1
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the bench at the start of the game and his 21-year-old replacement Goncalo Ramos (17th, 51st and 67th) proceeded to score the first hat-trick of this tournament and led Portugal to the quarterfinals for a showdown with Morocco. On paper it seems they have the easiest of the quarterfinals. This was Ramos first start for his country and it was spectacular.
Ramos opening goal in the 17th minute was a thing of beauty and only a young striker with the confidence of youth would have tried that shot. The angle was almost nonexistent and the keeper was guarding the post. Yet, with the brazen attitude of a 21-year-old he fired high and got the ball into the net.
Pepe (33rd) and Raphael Guerreiro (55th) added two more before Rafael Leao (90+2) added a late goal to completely annihilate the opposition. Ronaldo entered in the 72nd minute after loud chants of “Ronaldo! Ronald!” but he could not get on the score sheet.
Manuel Akanji (58th) scored for Switzerland but it was no more than a consolation. This is the third time Portugal has made it to the quarterfinals after 1966 and 2006. The coach has to make a final decision if to stick with the young buck (Ramos) or go for the old warhorse (Ronaldo) on Saturday against Morocco.
Morocco 0 vs Spain 0
Penalties Morocco 3 vs Spain 0
More than 120 minutes could not separate these two teams. Spain had 77% possession ,13 shots at goal with only one on target and 1019 passes but no goals to show. Morocco has only let one goal into their net and it was an own goal. They possess one of the best defenses at the World Cup. It will be interesting to see Portugal break this defense while stopping the fast counter attacks. This is Morocco’s first ever quarterfinals.
Spain for all the big names and lucrative contracts in one of the biggest leagues in the world could not score a single penalty- even worse than Japan. Spain dominated possession but failed to be a threat.
Spain Out, Portugal Impress
Qatar 2022
Matchday 17 Tuesday December 6, 2022
Portugal annihilates Switzerland, Morocco dumps Spain
By Gerald Lutchman
IN a day of mixed matches – one a complete beatdown and the other a penalty shootout – it was a joy to see Portugal put in the most commanding performance of the Round of 16.
Portugal 6 vs Switzerland 1
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the bench at the start of the game and his 21-year-old replacement Goncalo Ramos (17th, 51st and 67th) proceeded to score the first hat-trick of this tournament and led Portugal to the quarterfinals for a showdown with Morocco. On paper it seems they have the easiest of the quarterfinals. This was Ramos first start for his country and it was spectacular.
Ramos opening goal in the 17th minute was a thing of beauty and only a young striker with the confidence of youth would have tried that shot. The angle was almost nonexistent and the keeper was guarding the post. Yet, with the brazen attitude of a 21-year-old he fired high and got the ball into the net.
Pepe (33rd) and Raphael Guerreiro (55th) added two more before Rafael Leao (90+2) added a late goal to completely annihilate the opposition. Ronaldo entered in the 72nd minute after loud chants of “Ronaldo! Ronald!” but he could not get on the score sheet.
Manuel Akanji (58th) scored for Switzerland but it was no more than a consolation. This is the third time Portugal has made it to the quarterfinals after 1966 and 2006. The coach has to make a final decision if to stick with the young buck (Ramos) or go for the old warhorse (Ronaldo) on Saturday against Morocco.
Morocco 0 vs Spain 0
Penalties Morocco 3 vs Spain 0
More than 120 minutes could not separate these two teams. Spain had 77% possession ,13 shots at goal with only one on target and 1019 passes but no goals to show. Morocco has only let one goal into their net and it was an own goal. They possess one of the best defenses at the World Cup. It will be interesting to see Portugal break this defense while stopping the fast counter attacks. This is Morocco’s first ever quarterfinals.
Spain for all the big names and lucrative contracts in one of the biggest leagues in the world could not score a single penalty- even worse than Japan. Spain dominated possession but failed to be a threat.
Next games -Quarterfinals:
Friday
Saturday