Portugal outclassed Switzerland 6-1 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Photo: World Cup

By Orlando González Cruz.

Havana, December 6 (RHC--The Portuguese national soccer team played today its best game so far in the World Cup and defeated in an unobjectionable way their rival Switzerland (6-1), qualifying to the quarterfinals of the competition hosted by Qatar.

The Lusitanians took the field without Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) in the starting eleven and, to tell the truth, his absence on the field was not at all noticeable. Gonçalo Ramos (17'), the player charged with replacing him in the starting lineup, put the Portuguese ahead with a seemingly impossible goal to the top corner, but the ball nestled at full speed in the back of the net.

The first half ended with Fernando Santos' pupils dominating in all areas of the game, and with another goal on the scoreboard (33') scored by veteran Képler Laverán Lima Ferreira (Pepe).

In the second half, the Portuguese soccer continued with a concert by Gonçalo, who made his debut as a starter by scoring two more goals (51' and 67'), before being replaced by CR7. Raphaël Guerreiro scored the fifth (55'), while the last goal was scored shortly after coming on for Rafael Leão (90+2'). Manuel Akanji (58') gave the Swiss the consolation goal.

The Iberians will now face in the quarterfinals the surprising Morocco, who eliminated Spain in a penalty shootout (3-0), after a scoreless draw in regulation time.