Goncalo Ramos justified the shock decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring a hat-trick on his full debut as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to power into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old Ramos, who started instead of Ronaldo, became the youngest player to strike three times in a World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958.
But who is Portugal's young upstart?
Who is Goncalo Ramos?
Born in Algarve, Ramos has burst onto the scene with Benfica this season after being given an enhanced role as the central striker following the sale of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool in the summer.
He has scored 14 goals in 21 games in all competitions, quickly adjusting to his new role.
Is he a regular starter for Portugal?
Ramos was only making his fourth appearance for the national side, having played 10 minutes across two games in the group stage.
He only made his debut on November 17 in a pre-World Cup friendly against Nigeria, coming on as a 67th minute substitute and promptly scoring 15 minutes later with the fourth goal in a 4-0 win.
Why was his call-up to the starting XI controversial?
No doubt Ramos has the potential to be a success, but the decision taken by Portugal boss Fernando Santos to start the 21-year-old ahead of Ronaldo was a bold one.
It took just 17 minutes for Ramos to reward Santos' faith, and to achieve something Ronaldo has never done – score in a World Cup knockout game.
Joao Felix clipped delicately into the feet of Ramos, who quickly swivelled past Fabian Schaer and rifled into the roof of the net past a stunned Yann Sommer.
Ramos turned in his second from close range six minutes into the second half from Diogo Dalot's cross down the right.
He completed his treble after outstanding work from strike partner Felix, nonchalantly dinking over Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer with one of his final touches before making way for Ronaldo.
What did he say?
Ramos said that his call-up ahead of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was beyond his imagination.
"Not even in my wildest dreams did I think of making my first start in a World Cup knockout game and scoring three goals," he said.
"But we have to think game by game and prepare for the game [quarter-final with Morocco]. This result doesn't matter now. We're going to go all out in the next game."
Why was Ronaldo dropped?
Ronaldo, 37 and now without a club after his departure from Manchester United, has hogged the headlines during the tournament while looking a shadow of his former self.
The only man to score at five World Cups, Ronaldo was left out by Santos against the Swiss following his angry response to being substituted in the last group game - a 2-1 defeat to South Korea.
Santos later said the decision to bench the Portugal star had been "strategic and nothing more", unrelated to his substitution against South Korea.
What next for Ronaldo?
Ronaldo's introduction against Switzerland elicited the biggest roar at the Lusail Stadium, with fans chanting his name from the start of the second half. Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside.
His role for the remainder of the World Cup is something that has to be “defined”, Santos told reporters after the match, adding that the superstar striker "will definitely" be involved against Morocco. Ronaldo and Portugal have never won the World Cup, though he was an integral part of the squad that won Euro 2016.
Ronaldo's future in club football is also a hot topic, with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr reportedly prepared to offer the former Real Madrid and Juventus player a mouthwatering £200 million-a-year contract.
Ronaldo has scored 118 Portugal goals - a world record - and is one shy of equaling Bader Al Mutawa's Fifa-recognised record of 196 international caps.
Portugal v Switzerland ratings
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PORTUGAL RATINGS: Diogo Costa - 6. Got a touch on Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick to make sure it didn’t go in, then saved Remo Freuler’s header after unconvincingly stopping Edimilson Fernandes’ cross. Had no chance of stopping the Swiss goal, while his long ball forward started the move for Portugal’s fifth. AP -
Diogo Dalot - 9. Was authoritative in his defending throughout the game to ensure Ruben Vargas didn’t get any joy. Cleared the ball off the line after Costa saved Freuler’s header, and then beat Vargas to deliver the cross for Goncalo Ramos’ second. Noah Okafor didn’t fare much better against him. EPA -
Pepe - 9. Showed complete dominance to score his goal and that translated to the rest of the defender’s play. He made some brilliant passes and often defended on the front foot to quickly nullify Swiss attacks. AP -
Ruben Dias - 7. Got away with a poor touch on the edge of his own box but gave Breel Embolo a real battle. Won a header in the opposition box but couldn’t get enough on it to work Yann Sommer. Getty -
Raphael Guerreiro - 8. Came up with a couple of wonderful touches and passes, although the left-back fired a shot harmlessly off target. Did much better when he got into the box in the second half, giving Sommer no chance. AP -
Bernardo Silva - 8. Broke into the box but couldn’t find the final pass, although he continued to put himself in great positions and show quality throughout. Made a good run forward in the build-up to Ramos’ hat-trick goal. Getty -
William Carvalho - 7. Was a calm presence in the middle of the pitch, winning the ball back when required and moving it brilliantly. Some of his passes in the first half were particularly eye-catching, including one he clipped for Guerreiro to run on to. Played some sloppy passes in the second half and was eased off the ball by Embolo. EPA -
Otavio - 8. Did a great job to move the ball from a deep midfield position, although he shot straight at Yann Sommer when a half-chance came. Provided a lovely backheel in the build-up to Portugal’s fourth. AP -
Bruno Fernandes - 9. Played with freedom, playing a whole host of brilliant passes including the corner delivery for Pepe’s goal and a through ball for Goncalo Ramos. Came within inches of reaching Guerreiro’s cross. Reuters -
Goncalo Ramos - 10. Blasted Portugal into the lead with a brilliant finish in his first tournament start, then added a second goal after half time. Set up Guerreiro for Portugal’s fourth, although his attempt at a defensive header also set up Manuel Akanji before he scored with a beautifully dinked effort for his hat-trick. EPA -
Joao Felix - 9. Took up brilliant positions and showed the quality to exploit them, notably slipping the ball through for Ramos’ opener. There were more superb moments in his fearless performance including a run through the middle that helped lead to Portugal’s fourth. He then slid the ball to Ramos again for the striker’s hat-trick goal. AP -
SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo (Ramos, 73’) – N/R. Fired a free-kick attempt into the wall before hitting the back of the net for a goal that was pulled back for offside. PA -
Ricardo Horta (Felix, 74’) – N/R. Got some nice touches in as Portugal put on a show. AFP -
Vitinha (Otavio, 74’) – N/R. Moved the ball nicely, although one stray pass started a decent Swiss move. His corner delivery was an inviting one. AP -
Ruben Neves (Silva, 81’) – N/R. Moved the ball well and cut out a potentially threatening ball through. AP -
Rafael Leao (Fernandes, 87’) – N/R. Played a poor cross with Ronaldo waiting in the box but showed his quality by cutting inside Granit Xhaka and curling a wonderful effort past Sommer. Getty -
SWITZERLAND RATINGS: Yann Sommer - 4. Had a horrible night conceding six, although there wasn’t too much he could do about most of the goals. Made a great save to deny Ramos one goal. AP -
Edimilson Fernandes - 3. He was very weak defensively, especially in the first half, giving Felix too much space in the build-up to the first goal and doing nothing to stop Pepe for the second. Delivered some promising crosses. AP -
Manuel Akanji - 5. Was beaten far too easily in the air by Pepe for the second and was helpless as the Swiss defence descended into calamity. Scored a consolation goal after sneaking in at the back post. Getty -
Fabian Schar - 3. Stood off Ramos for the opener and was very weak in his defending for the second. A poor overall performance also saw him get booked for a late challenge on Felix before being taken off at half time. Getty -
Ricardo Rodriguez - 4. Showed great anticipation to clear Silva’s pass but that largely deserted Rodriguez and his fellow defenders for the rest of the game. Put in a couple of decent crosses. AFP -
Remo Freuler - 4. Saw his header saved and struggled to keep up, hitting Pepe with some late challenges in an underwhelming performance. AP -
Granit Xhaka - 4. Did absolutely nothing to put Felix under pressure for the opener and seemed to be going through the motions at times. Headed comfortably off target from a promising position and got away with a mix-up with Denis Zakaria. Getty -
Xherdan Shaqiri - 5. Was toothless in a challenge with Dias on the edge of Portugal’s box and hit a shocking effort that went high and wide, summarising Switzerland’s game. Showed quality with his set-pieces, forcing Costa into an uncomfortable save and delivering the corner that resulted in Akanji’s goal. Reuters -
Djibril Sow - 4. Had some nice moments, including a flick for Fernandes’ cross, but was still very quiet. AFP -
Ruben Vargas - 4. Was easily beaten by Dalot for Portugal’s third having largely been bullied by the defender at the other end of the pitch. Getty -
Breel Embolo - 6. One of the very few Swiss players who could leave this match with their head held high, having given Dias a real battle for large periods. Came close with an acrobatic effort. AP -
SUBS: Eray Comert (Schar, HT) - 5. Was very inconsistent as he had some poor moments, although he also stopped a dangerous ball through to Ronaldo and made a great burst forward. Booked for catching Fernandes with an outstretched arm. Getty -
Haris Seferovic (Freuler, 54’) - 4. Had a very minimal impact on the game with Portugal dominating at the other end. Reuters -
Denis Zakaria (Sow, 55’) - 5. Was held off the ball by Carvalho after making a good run, while he saw a shot blocked. Getty -
Noah Okafor (Vargas, 66’) - 5. Lost the ball in the middle of the pitch then found himself chasing shadows. Had some mildly bright moments but his shot attempt was quashed by Fernandes. AP -
Ardon Jashari (Embolo, 89’) – N/R. Got on for a World Cup game but there was no chance of him having a notable impact as the game had long gone. Getty
