By Eniola Olatunji
When Winston Churchill came back to Britain from the World War II, He told Britons that the news from France was bad for many British soldiers lost their lives then, I report unto Switzerland that the news from Qatar is terribly bad for their hopes for a quarter final appearance of the Red Crosses for the fourth time was crushed by Portugal that whipped them 6-1.
Switzerland made the quarterfinals in 1934; 1938 and 1954 when most nations knew not the round leather game and some were kicking oranges on their streets bare footed.
Portugal came for the kill and broke the Qatar record with Goncalo Ramos emerging the first player to score a hat trick (a jargon for a person scoring three goals in a single match) at the 17th, 51st and 67th minutes of the game.
Acting captain Pepe, a defender, who stood in for Cristiano Ronaldo who started from the bench scored 33rd minute; Raphael Guerreiro scored the 4th goal in the 55th minute and then Nigeria’s Manuel Akanji who stars in the defence for Switzerland for years now having played his 3rd world cup pulled one back for Switzerland in the 58th which appeared meaningless only for rampaging Rafael Leao to score the sixth goal at 90+2 minute which was his second goal in the tournament.
There is no ode for Switzerland because their defeat was imminent as Portugal came smoking beating the Red Crosses in all departments of the game.
Portugal emerged winner of Group H with 6 points and 2 goals difference having beaten Ghana 3-2 in first match; beat Uruguay2-0 and lost to South Korea 1-2. South Korea came second there with 4 points and +4 goals difference.
The Red Crosses of Switzerland were swift to beat Cameroon by a lone goal; lost to Brazil by a lone goal and defeated Serbia 3-2 to come up as runners up after Brazil with 6 points and 1 goal difference whereas Brazil also had 6 points but +2 goals difference.
Their football history is long as both teams met 25 times surprisingly Switzerland won 11 times; Portugal won 9 times while 5 matches were drawn. 1st May 1938 Por 1 Swiss 0; 6th November 1938 Swiss 1 Por 0; 12th February 1939 Por 2 Swi 4; 1st January 1942 Por 3 Swi 0; 21st May 1945 Swi 1 Por 0; 5th January 1947 Por 2 Swi 2; 16th May 1959 Swi 4 Por 3; 29th April 1964 Swi 2 Por 3; 16th April 1969 at the world cup Por 0 Swi 2; 2nd November 1969 also world cup match Swi 1 Por 1; 13th November 1974 Swi 3 Por 0; 30th March 1977 Por 1 Swi 0; 24th March 1982 Swi 2 Por 1.
Then came Euro Championship where on 29th October 1986 Swis and Por played 1-1; also in that competition on 11th November 1987 they played goalless; moved to world cup on 26th April 1989 por won 3-2 and 20th September 1989 Swi lost 1-2. Two Nations League matches were played in 2022, Portugal won on 5th June 4-0 and on June 12 Switzerland won 1-0.
With the Moroccan victory, the Atlas Lions now lie in waiting for the winner of the round of 16 matches between Portugal and Switzerland for the Quarter finals, it will be Morocco versus Portugal on Saturday 10th December at 6pm.
Other Quarterfinal matches are Friday 9th December at 6pm Croatia versus Brazil; same day at 10pm it will be Netherlands versus Argentina while the Three Lions of England will face defending Champions, Les Bleu of France at 10pm on Saturday 10th December.
There will be off days on Wednesday and Thursday for players and officials to rest. As a matter of competition rules, any team that loses at the knockout stages of round of 16 and quarter finals has 48 hours after loss to leave the host country as recognition and care for the losing teams ceases.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
#FifaworldcupQatar2022.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
