Goncalo Ramos scored a remarkable hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland on Tuesday night, matching an achievement of World Cup legend Miroslav Klose in the process.
Portugal were in sparkling form against the Swiss in the last 16, hammering them 6-1 as the decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo paid off handsomely for manager Fernando Santos.
Ramos was Ronaldo’s replacement up front and the Benfica striker took his chance wonderfully, scoring three in the rout.
Portugal’s new hero became the first player to score a hat-trick on his first start in the World Cup since Germany icon Miroslav Klose manager it against Saudi Arabia back in 2002.
The 21-year-old is also the youngest man to score a World Cup hat-trick for 60 years, since Florian Albert netted three for Hungary against Bulgaria in 1962 aged 20.
It is the first hat-trick of the Qatar World Cup and the first since Harry Kane managed the feat for England in a 6-1 win over Panama in Russia in 2018.
Ramos’ is the 53rd hat-trick to be scored at the World Cup, with the first all the way back on 17 July 1930 when USA’s Bert Patenaude scored every goal in a 3-0 win over Paraguay.
Veteran defender Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao scored the other goals in the rout over Switzerland as Portugal booked their spot in the quarter-finals where they will face Morocco.
The African side shocked Spain earlier on Tuesday, edging them out on penalties after a goalless draw.
MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal thrash Switzerland to reach World Cup 2022 quarter-finals
MORE : ‘Stop sulking!’ – Gary Neville reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo getting dropped by Portugal
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