Ramos nets hat-trick in Portugal WC rout

Few fans had heard of Goncalo Ramos before Portugal’s 6-1 demolition of Switzerland took them into the World Cup quarter-finals, but after a hat-trick and an assist the striker made sure they will never forget him.

In a brave and bold move that turned out to be a coaching masterstroke, Fernando Santos left five-time Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and gave the 21-year-old, nicknamed ‘the Sorcerer’, his first start, and the forward instantly lived up to his moniker.

Ramos could not have hoped for a more magical Tuesday night in Qatar, having made his international debut only three days before the World Cup started.

But even in that game the Benfica youth product had issued a little-noticed warning, scoring once and setting up another goal in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Nigeria in their last warm-up match on November 17 that again did not include Ronaldo.

AAP (C) 2022

Goncalo Ramos netted a stunning hat-trick in Portugal’s 6-1 World Cup drubbing of Switzerland. (AP PHOTO)