5 talking points as Portugal flourish without Ronaldo and thrash Switzerland

Portugal are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after thrashing Switzerland 6-1 at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos made a huge call ahead of the game by dropping captain Cristiano Ronaldo. His brave decision was vindicated, as Ronaldo's replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a brilliant hat-trick to take the game away from the Swiss.

Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also found the net, while Manuel Akanji pulled one back for Switzerland. Portugal will play Morocco in the quarter-finals after they defeated Spain on penalties. Here are the main talking points from Portugal's win.

History repeats itself

There was a sneaky feeling Ronaldo would be dropped against Switzerland following his outburst against South Korea. The former Manchester United forward threw a strop after his substitution, leaving Portugal manager Fernando Santos annoyed by his antics.

"I really didn't like it at all," said Santos. "But from there, those issues are resolved at home and it's time to think about tomorrow's game, which we are all focused on."

Despite the row, fans were still stunned when news of Ronaldo's axe emerged before kick-off. Tuesday night's game was the first time the five-time Ballon d'Or winner hasn't started at a major tournament since Euro 2008. Portugal's opponents that day? Switzerland.

What did you make of Cristiano Ronaldo's axe? Let us know in the comments below!

Ronaldo decision vindicated

It took just 17 minutes for Ronaldo's replacement to vindicate Santos' decision, as Ramos scored a stunning goal to give Portugal the lead. The Benfica striker, 21, shifted the ball on to his left foot and fired an unexpected effort into the roof of Yann Sommer's net.

To rub salt in Ronaldo's wounds, Ramos has now scored more goals in the World Cup knockout stages than the veteran forward. Ronaldo has played 514 minutes in the latter stages of the competition and hasn't found the net once during that time. Ouch.

Pepe gets a hug

Portugal doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Pepe, who was captaining the team in Ronaldo's absence, towered above the Switzerland defence to nod in from a corner. Pepe's involvement in the tournament is remarkable considering he turns 40 in February.

Ronaldo sprinted from the bench to congratulate Pepe on his goal. The two played alongside each other at Real Madrid for eight years, which explains their close friendship. It's important to note Ronaldo did the same when Ramos scored the opening goal.

Ramos completes hat-trick

Ramos needed just six second-half minutes to score his second goal and put the game to bed. Ronaldo's replacement got on the end of Diogo Dalot's low cross to vindicate another one of Santos' decisions. This time, it was Dalot's selection ahead of Joao Cancelo.

Portugal's fourth came courtesy of Guerreiro, who fired into the roof of the net to finish off a lovely team move. Switzerland pulled a goal back when Manchester City defender Akanji converted a corner, but Ramos ensured that was just consolation moments later.

The Benfica man completed his hat-trick by dinking the ball over a desperate Sommer. As Ronaldo finally came on in the 73rd minute, the job was complete. The final act of this brilliant Portugal performance came from Leao, who curled in a sixth goal in stoppage time.

What next for Ronaldo?

"I think he [Ronaldo] does need to listen to the truth, that it's becoming a little bit of a scruffy end," said Gary Neville ahead of the game. If ever there was a time for Ronaldo to accept that he's no longer one of the world's best players, Tuesday night was it.

Portugal were absolutely phenomenal against the Swiss, playing an enthralling style-of-play the fans have been calling for since the tournament began. It was reminiscent of some of the performances United have given this season with Ronaldo on the bench.

Perhaps it's time for Ronaldo to accept that he's no longer one of the best footballers in the world; perhaps it's time for him to use all of his experience to help his team-mates from the bench; perhaps it's time for him to take a well-earned payday in Saudi Arabia.

Will any of that happen? Possibly, but Ronaldo won't fade into the sunset quietly.

Read more

Qatar World Cup 2022

Portugal smash six in Ronaldo's absence

Spain eliminated with more shootout woe

Portugal's new hero steps up

Morocco fans celebrate famous victory