Portugal 6-1 Switzerland: Ramos scores a hat-trick as Santos men come to life without Ronaldo

Goncalo Ramos replaced Cristiano Ronaldo and the youngster scored a hat-trick as Portugal beat Switzerland to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Portugal boss Fernando Santos was unhappy with Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted against South Korea last time out.

Santos opted to drop Ronaldo for the round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland, but was brought in before the final whistle.

The veteran was the focus of every camera lens before kick-off, but it was the 21-year-old playing in his place who walked away with the man-of-the-match award, vindicating Santos in a 6-1 victory that sets up a quarter-final against Morocco.

Ramos struck in a spectacular left-footed laser 17 minutes into his debut, to which Pepe added a powerful header as the 39-year-old became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Round of 16 the World Cup.

Portugal continued their ascent after half-time as Ramos headed home from close range before playing Raphael Guerreiro to open a four-goal advantage.

The Benfica striker was disappointed to give Manuel Akanji a Swiss corner to get one back, but he became the first Qatar player to score a hat-trick when he cut Yann Sommer coldly.

The crowd chanted Ronaldo's name and got their wish as they walked in, with the star seeing a goal disallowed for offside before fellow substitute Rafael Leao headed home.

Ramos smiled full time as he took off with the match ball for a hat-trick that started with a stunner.

Swiss goalkeeper Sommer looked over his shoulder in disbelief as the ball swept past him in the 17th minute after Ramos met a pass from Joao Felix with an unstoppable left-footed strike that flew at the first post.

It was a brilliant goal that emboldened Portugal, who had a few half chances and survived a long free kick from Xherdan Shaqiri before extending their lead in the 33rd minute.

Bruno Fernandes sent in a corner and Pepe managed to drive home from six yards, sparking wild celebrations as Ronaldo and his fellow substitutes came off the bench to join their teammates.

Diogo Dalot cleared a header from Remo Freuler after Portugal keeper Diogo Costa knocked down a cross, but it was a rare opportunity for Switzerland, who had Sommer to thank for cleverly clearing Ramos before the break.< /p>

Half-time brought respite to Murat Yakin's side, who were knocked out of the game within 10 minutes of the restart.

Dalot got past Ruben Vargas too easily and drove in a low cross that Ramos brought home from close range in the 51st minute.

Within four minutes, the goalscorer turned provider, sliding through the overlapping Guerreiro to beat Sommer and put Portugal in dreamland.

There was a small bump in the road in the 58th minute when Ramos tried to clear a corner, only to find himself in Akanji's way to turn at the far post, but it was never going to be that a Swiss consolation.

Portugal restored their four-goal lead thanks to a now familiar source in the 67th minute. Felix put Ramos behind and the 21-year-old coolly leaned into the hurried Sommer to complete his hat-trick.

It was a standout performance from Ramos and Portugal, whose manager delighted the crowd by bringing in star man Ronaldo in the 74th minute.

His entrance was greeted with a huge roar, as was his thrusting strike that rippled the back of the net in the 84th minute. Ronaldo, however, looked directly at the linesman and saw the flag raised for offside.

Breel Embolo came close with an audacious overhead kick before that, but Switzerland were just waiting for the final whistle at that point.

Perhaps that's why substitute Leao had the space and time to come home with a brilliant sixth in stoppage time.

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