Portugal Inspired By CR7
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb hat-trick to send hosts Portugal to the
Nations League final after a 3-1 win over Switzerland in Porto.
A Ronaldo classic from a 25-yard free-kick had Portugal ahead (25), though
Switzerland went close through striker Haris Seferovic either side of the
opener.
But the Swiss were level in controversial fashion as they were initially denied a
penalty, before Portugal went up the other end and instantly won a penalty of
their own through Bernardo Silva. But, after a VAR check, the initial Swiss
penalty appeal was given by VAR for a tug from Nelson Semedo on Steven
Zuber, allowing Ricardo Rodriguez to tuck away the penalty (57).
Switzerland threatened to grab a winner, but it was Portuguese legend
Ronaldo who won it, putting the hosts back ahead with a low, first-time finish
(88), before cutting in to find the bottom corner (90).
Portugal will now play in Sunday's final against the winners of England's clash
with the Netherlands, who play on Thursday night.
Team news
Joao Felix, linked with several top clubs across Europe, made his Portugal
debut at just 19, starting alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in a strong side for
the hosts.
For Switzerland, Schar, Shaqiri and Seferovic all returned to the starting
line-up after the 3-3 draw with Denmark in March. Embolo was out,
returning to Schalke after picking up an injury in training last week.
How Ronaldo ruled on big stage again
The Swiss were underdogs but impressed in the opening stages, going close
as Xherdan Shaqiri forced a good save at close range by Rui Patricio, before
the Liverpool midfielder's dangerous cross evaded both Seferovic and the post
by inches.
They were made to pay by Ronaldo on his Nations League debut, the forward
stepping up to strike a trademark free-kick into the bottom right corner from
25 yards, with the wall and goalkeeper Yann Sommer expecting the effort to go
left.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit a trademark free-kick in the first half
Switzerland reacted well, however, and could have been level just before the
break as Seferovic dug out a shot from Kevin Mbabu's centre, only for it to hit
the top of the crossbar.
VAR then helped Switzerland equalise as Zuber went down from a slight nudge
from Semedo; initially German referee Felix Brych waved away appeals, before
Portugal attacked and won their own penalty from Fabian Schar's cynical trip
on Bernardo Silva.
There was big VAR drama for Switzerland's leveller
Then came a few minutes of chaos as referee Brych went to the pitchside
screen to check the initial Swiss appeal, giving the visitors the penalty to the
dismay of the home crowd, as Rodriguez scored despite Patricio guessing the
correct way and getting a touch.
Switzerland looked the more likely to win it until Ronaldo turned it on with two
goals in three minutes. The first came from a finely-struck, first-time effort
from 15 yards after nice work from Bernardo Silva on the right flank, before
Granit Xhaka gave away possession in midfield, allowing Ronaldo to cut onto
his right foot inside the box and find the far corner for his 53rd career hat-trick.
Nations League final after a 3-1 win over Switzerland in Porto.
A Ronaldo classic from a 25-yard free-kick had Portugal ahead (25), though
Switzerland went close through striker Haris Seferovic either side of the
opener.
But the Swiss were level in controversial fashion as they were initially denied a
penalty, before Portugal went up the other end and instantly won a penalty of
their own through Bernardo Silva. But, after a VAR check, the initial Swiss
penalty appeal was given by VAR for a tug from Nelson Semedo on Steven
Zuber, allowing Ricardo Rodriguez to tuck away the penalty (57).
Switzerland threatened to grab a winner, but it was Portuguese legend
Ronaldo who won it, putting the hosts back ahead with a low, first-time finish
(88), before cutting in to find the bottom corner (90).
Portugal will now play in Sunday's final against the winners of England's clash
with the Netherlands, who play on Thursday night.
Team news
Joao Felix, linked with several top clubs across Europe, made his Portugal
debut at just 19, starting alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in a strong side for
the hosts.
For Switzerland, Schar, Shaqiri and Seferovic all returned to the starting
line-up after the 3-3 draw with Denmark in March. Embolo was out,
returning to Schalke after picking up an injury in training last week.
How Ronaldo ruled on big stage again
The Swiss were underdogs but impressed in the opening stages, going close
as Xherdan Shaqiri forced a good save at close range by Rui Patricio, before
the Liverpool midfielder's dangerous cross evaded both Seferovic and the post
by inches.
They were made to pay by Ronaldo on his Nations League debut, the forward
stepping up to strike a trademark free-kick into the bottom right corner from
25 yards, with the wall and goalkeeper Yann Sommer expecting the effort to go
left.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit a trademark free-kick in the first half
Switzerland reacted well, however, and could have been level just before the
break as Seferovic dug out a shot from Kevin Mbabu's centre, only for it to hit
the top of the crossbar.
VAR then helped Switzerland equalise as Zuber went down from a slight nudge
from Semedo; initially German referee Felix Brych waved away appeals, before
Portugal attacked and won their own penalty from Fabian Schar's cynical trip
on Bernardo Silva.
There was big VAR drama for Switzerland's leveller
Then came a few minutes of chaos as referee Brych went to the pitchside
screen to check the initial Swiss appeal, giving the visitors the penalty to the
dismay of the home crowd, as Rodriguez scored despite Patricio guessing the
correct way and getting a touch.
Switzerland looked the more likely to win it until Ronaldo turned it on with two
goals in three minutes. The first came from a finely-struck, first-time effort
from 15 yards after nice work from Bernardo Silva on the right flank, before
Granit Xhaka gave away possession in midfield, allowing Ronaldo to cut onto
his right foot inside the box and find the far corner for his 53rd career hat-trick.
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