21-year-old Goncalo Ramos, chosen ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, scored a hat-trick as Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, earlier today.
Ramos, the surprise pick of coach Fernando Santos, had big boots to fill as legendary striker Ronaldo – who surprisingly has never scored in a World Cup knockout fixture – sat out.
The Benfica player, who had played only 36 minutes of international football before making his World Cup debut, kicked off the party just 17 minutes into the game.
First hat-trick of #Qatar2022 ✅
Youngest player to score a #FIFAWorldCup hat-trick since @Pele ✅
First knockout stage hat-trick in the competition since 1990 ✅
A night to remember for Goncalo Ramos 🤩#PORSUI #WorldsGreatestShow #FIFAWConJioCinema #FIFAWConSports1 pic.twitter.com/mK5p1l5HE2
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 6, 2022
Ramos then scored his second goal in the 51st minute and third one in the 67th, as Portugal raced to 6-1 triumph.
Ramos’s third goal against Switzerlandpic.twitter.com/071xoMo0HK
— 🆉🅸🆉🅾🆄 (@zi_46) December 6, 2022
Scoring the first hat-trick of the 2022 World Cup, Ramos, quite deservedly, walked away with the Player of the Match award.
😎 The #FIFAWorldCup is where heroes are made – that’s exactly what Goncalo Ramos became tonight.
A hat-trick, an assist, and tonight’s @Budweiser Player of the Match award. Incredible! 👏
🇵🇹 #PORSUI🇨🇭 #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud pic.twitter.com/5WkId0Fp6o
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2022
The 2006 semi-finalists now meet Morocco, last-16 conquerors of Iberian neighbours Spain, on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.
