Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: Nations League during a glance
Match in brief
Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage – doesn’t he always? – as his marvellous hat-trick took hosts Portugal by to Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final.
Switzerland battled gamely, and came within dual mins of additional time, though make no mistake: this was a Ronaldo show. First came his opener, a free-kick speared past a unsighted Yann Sommer, and afterwards a Juventus male brought out his box of tricks. Witness his nutmeg on Kevin Mbabu, followed by an vast no-look pass.
Switzerland had their chances. Haris Seferović consumed a good headed event amid a splendid opening, and a Benfica striker also grazed a tip of a bar before a interlude as he kick Pepe to a cross. Then, on 55 minutes, Ricardo RodrÃguez leveled from a mark after a VAR decision.
The Swiss matched a hosts from that impulse until a 88th minute, when Ronaldo dismissed in a first-time shot after Bernardo Silva’s cutback. There was still time for a hat-trick on a break. The crowd, moments progressing betraying their nerves, began a Mexican Waves.
Man of a match: Cristiano Ronaldo
David Moyes, partial of a UEFA technical investigate organisation who done a selection, explained: “World-class actor and well-developed goalscoring ability, scoring 3 really opposite goals in what was indeed utterly a parsimonious game. A hazard from commencement to end, he was a actor a group incited to in critical moments.”
View from a stadium
Joe Walker, Portugal
The final measure tells one story, though for swathes of that diversion Portugal were arguably second best. Ronaldo rather let them off a hook. Fernando Santos will need to have his side many crook and improved in possession when they face a winners of Netherands v England on Sunday. The play to start João Félix backfired and they lacked a widespread midfield presence. Still, a win’s a win. And Ronaldo is Ronaldo.
Matthew Howarth, Switzerland
The outcome was maybe oppressive on Switzerland, who were mostly a some-more stoical and assured group during a Dragão. Xherdan Shaqiri – given a giveaway purpose behind Seferović – was a consistent threat, though a Benfica brazen unsuccessful to make a many of his chances. Even so, there were copiousness of positives for Vladimir Petković’s men, who will wish to finish a contest on a high in Guimaraes on Sunday.
Key stats
7: Ronaldo claimed his seventh hat-trick for Portugal.
88: The Juve assailant changed onto 88 goals in 157 internationals – before tonight he had not scored for Portugal in 349 days.
16: Ronaldo has scored an general idea each year given 2004 – 16 years running!
5: RodrÃguez has converted all 5 of his penalties for Switzerland. His strike was Switzerland’s 100th idea underneath manager Petković.
13: Portugal are dominant in 13 rival home matches, given Sep 2014.
19: At 19 years and 207 days old, João Félix is a youngest Portugal debutant given Renato Sanches in 2016.
50: Switzerland have not won in Portugal in 50 years, a method of 9 games that includes UEFA EURO 2004.
What’s next?
Portugal: It’s behind to Porto on Sunday for a initial UEFA Nations League final, where a victors from Thursday’s tie between a Netherlands and England await. Portugal have won usually 3 of their 23 prior encounters with England. The Selecção mislaid 3-0 to a Netherlands final March, usually their second better (W7 D4) in 13 meetings with a Oranje.
Switzerland: Third place on a soap-box will be adult for grabs a few hours before a final when Petković’s side spin out in Guimaraes opposite a other losing semi-finalists. Switzerland have won usually 3 of their 25 prior meetings with England, losing 1-0 in a Sep friendly. Their record opposite a Netherlands is distant some-more even, with a teams winning 15 every in 33 encounters.