Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: Report, Ratings & Reaction to Cristiano Ronaldo Masterclass

By

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick saw Portugal qualify for the inaugural Nations League Final, as they beat Switzerland 3-1 on Wednesday night in Porto.

Switzerland could've taken the lead on numerous occasions, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Haris Seferović each missing a string of chances. Cristiano Ronaldo then missed his own big opportunity, as he scuffe
d his shot wide after Manuel Akanji's pass was intercepted.

Portugal took the lead after 25 minutes, thanks to a smart free-kick from Ronaldo. The free-kick was awarded despite Kevin Mbabu winning the ball, and without any complaint Ronaldo assumed duty and struck the ball home to put the Selecao das Quinas in front.

The second half began with huge drama, as VAR came into action for the first time. First, Switzerland appealed for a penalty as Nelson Semedo clipped Steven Zuber. As the advantage was played, Portugal went up the other end and were awarded a penalty of their own.

However, after a VAR check referee Felix Brych reverted his decision to award a penalty for Portugal, and instead gave a penalty to Switzerland. Ricardo Rodríguez stepped up, and kept his cool to fire home and deservedly draw the Schweizer Nati level.

In the 88th minute, Ronaldo picked up the ball on the edge of the box and swept home emphatically to restore Portugal's lead. Just two minutes later and Ronaldo had his hat-trick, as a sublime piece of footwork and a beautiful curling finish sent Portugal into the final
Portugal had all the momentum behind them, and frankly Ronaldo's goal was coming. They cut open Switzerland's defence every time they went forward, exploiting their makeshift back three. They went into half time with a strong lead, and were so close to doubling it in the second half.

The VAR decision proved to be a gamechanger, and instead of the Selecao taking a comfortable 2-0 lead they were back on level terms. As soon as Switzerland drew level the hosts lost their momentum, and suddenly found themselves on the back foot once again.

Nevertheless, Portugal didn't give up and fought harder and harder with each attack. In the end, two goals in the last two minutes from Ronaldo did the job, as the Selecao got the job done and secured their place in the final on home soil.

​Player Ratings

Starting XI: Patrício (7); Guerreiro (6), Dias (6), Pepe (6), Semedo (7); Silva (7), Carvalho (6), Neves (6), Fernandes (6); Félix (6), Ronaldo (10*).

Substitutes: Fonte (6), Guedes (6), Moutinho (N/A).

STAR MAN - When ​Cristiano Ronaldo is on the top of his game, there is only so much that the Swiss could've done. While he didn't settle into the game straight away, his opening goal in the form of a free-kick got him going. He continued to create chances, leading Portugal's attack.
However, when Portugal needed him most in the dying minutes he showed up. Two stunning goals in two killer minutes was all he needed, as Ronaldo produced an absolute masterclass to open the Nations League Finals in style.SWITZERLAND
Key Talking Point

Switzerland played very well throughout the first half, creating a number of big chances. However they couldn't capitalise through Shaqiri and Seferović, and their vulnerable defence resulted in Portugal going into the break in front.

Nevertheless the Schweizer Nati fought on, and deservedly drew level. As soon as Rodríguez made it all square, the Swiss became rejuvenated and took control of the game again. The equaliser woke them up and gave them a lifeline, as they fought their way back.

After a wonderful performance, a collapse in the final minutes of the game saw the Swiss edged out in Porto. It was a fantastic performance from the Schweizer Nati, one that they should be thoroughly proud of, but it wasn't to be as they fell at the hand of the hosts.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Sommer (6); Rodríguez (7), Schär (7), Akanji (5), Mbabu (7); Zuber (7), Xhaka (6), Zakaria (6) Freuler (6); Shaqiri (7*); Seferović (6).

Substitutes: Fernandes (6), Steffen (N/A), Drmić (N/A).

STAR MAN - In a devastating defeat for the Nati, Xherdan Shaqiri certainly stood out. The ​Liverpool winger was superb for the Swiss, creating chance after chance and having some great chances of his own as he shone brightest for Switzerland.
Looking Ahead
​Portugalhave now booked their berth in the first ever Nations League Finals, which will be held on Sunday in Porto. They will face England or the Netherlands, who play in the second semi-final on Thursday.

Switzerland will contest the third place play-off on Sunday, facing the loser of Thursday's clash. They will travel down to Guimaraes, where they play hours before the final.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prostitution; Nigerian Women At Growing Risk From Human Traffickers In Germany.

By
Image
According to InfoMigrants, Nigerian women are at growing risk from traffickers in Germany who exploit and engage them in prostitution. Read the full report below by InfoMigrants. The new prostitute protection law in Germany was meant to identify victims of human trafficking – most of them migrant women. More than 18 months after the law came into effect, thousands continue to be targeted for exploitation, and the risk for Nigerian women seems to be increasing. There are campervans parked by the roadside. Some have hearts painted on them, one says “girls, girls” in red letters. It’s an easy matter for someone to stop for a quick transaction in one of these Love-Mobiles – sex with one of the “girls” in exchange for the going rate. Prostitution is mainly legal in Germany, as are these mobile brothels. But many of the women in the business – including those working from the Love-Mobiles – are victims of illegal human trafficking. Most of the women are from Eastern Europe or Nige...
Read more

FULL TEXT: A sacrifice for our new political order – Ezekwesili

By
Image
“When the ACPN leadership approached me in a series of visits to appeal that I run for office on their platform, the party appeared to be a good fit. It was founded by some disgruntled PDP members some years ago, but when its prime founder decided to return to the PDP, a core of its membership refused to move back with him. I was told that they stayed back because of their opposition to the ways of the PDP. Considering my vocal disapproval of the PDP and the APC, I admired the ACPN’s decision to stand firm and refusal to be co-opted.” It has been an interesting one week since I made the tough but necessary decision to suspend my campaign for the presidency. I have been truly overwhelmed by the reactions to my announcement from Nigerians. Even in airports outside the country as I travelled last week, Nigerians walked up to me with questions, concerns, encouragement, and motivation. I also saw disappointment by some who had poured their hearts and hopes into actualising our mission ...
Read more

Update On Slay Queen Who Was Stripped Naked And Tortured Over Missing Phone.

By
Image
The League of Patriotic Lawyers has given Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusegun Odumosu, 24 hours to unravel those behind the torture and insertion of pepper into a girl’s private part in Benin City over alleged stealing of a mobile phone.  Chairman of the platform and former Student Union President of the University of Benin, Mr. Abubakar Yesufu, who said this in a statement yesterday, also urged the state Director, Department of State Services, DSS, to be involved in the investigation. A video of the incident, seen by Vanguard yesterday, showed the girl being stripped naked by a group of people, who inserted pepper into her private parts for allegedly stealing a phone. The unidentified girl was heard crying and saying she didn’t steal any phone, while she was being humiliated by the crowd. Yesufu said: “The League of Patriotic Lawyers has given the Edo State Commissioner of Police 24 hours to arrest and commence prosecution of all the street urchins behind thi...
Read more