Fifa World Cup: Results and reactions from day 16
Portugal take on Switzerland in the World Cup looking to grab the final place in the quarter-finals in Qatar and a match against Morocco following their stunning win over Spain on penalties.
Portugal finished top of Group H despite their defeat to South Korea, but head coach Fernando Santos has dropped Cristiano Ronaldo following his reaction to being substituted in the 2-1 loss. Ronaldo’s performances have been generally underwhelming and the subject of criticism in Portugal, with the 37-year-old looking to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Switzerland will be hoping to spring an upset after they finished runner-up in Group G thanks to a dramatic and stormy 3-2 win over Serbia. The World Cup has been full of upsets so far, and Switzerland will be out to provide a late twist on what has been a dramatic day in Qatar. Follow all the action in our live blog below, following the conclusion of Morocco’s dramatic win against Spain.
Portugal vs Switzerland latest updates
Kick off: Portugal 0-0 Switzerland
Switzerland get the match started and send it over to the left side of the pitch where it’s won by the Portuguese who then work the ball back to goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 19:01
Portugal vs Switzerland
Here come the teams. Pepe leads out Portugal in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo tonight.
The national anthems are played and sung.
Kick off in the final last-16 game of the 2022 World Cup is up next.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:56
Can Shaqiri score again?
Xherdan Shaqiri needs one goal to equal Josef Hügi’s record as Switzerland’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals. He opened the scoring against Serbia last time out and will want to get his team off to another great start against Portugal.
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:51
Ronaldo vs Switzerland
In two Nations League matches against Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals, including a hat-trick in the 2019 semi-finals.
He enjoys playing against the Swiss but starts on the bench tonight.
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:48
Portugal vs Switzerland
Who will reach the quarter-finals?
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:45
A genius move from Santos?
Is the dropping of Cristiano Ronaldo due to his petulant behaviour or is Fernando Santos merely playing the odds?
All eight of Ronaldo’s World Cup goals have come in the group stage of the competition, the joint-most goals scored by a player in the tournament’s history without ever netting in the knockout rounds (alongside Lionel Messi).
Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in any of his six knockout appearances for Portugal at the World Cup, despite playing 514 minutes and having 25 total goal attempts.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:42
Will Portugal miss Ronaldo?
With Ronaldo dropped to the bench for this game, it’s the first time Portugal will play a match at a major tournament without him in the starting line-up since 2008.
It’s been even longer since the last time Portugal played without him in a knockout match, with the last year being 2000.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:39
Portugal vs Switzerland
Switzerland won two of their matches in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup (L1 v Brazil), and will be looking to win three games in a single World Cup tournament for the first time in their history.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:36
Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in history is secure – his position in the sport is not
It may say something about Fifa’s fondness for the rich and famous that the man-of-the-match award in this World Cup tends to go to the player with the greatest profile, not the one who produced the finest display in the preceding 90 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne was utterly bemused to find himself the recipient when Belgium beat Canada. Gareth Bale got the prize for a penalty against the United States, Luka Modric perhaps for being Luka Modric. But none is as rich and famous as Cristiano Ronaldo.
His status affords certain privileges, perhaps including winning and scoring a spot-kick that, as Mohammed Salisu appeared to win the ball, the Ghana manager Otto Addo deemed “a special gift from the referee”. But with his goal rendering him the governing body’s choice as officially the outstanding player in Portugal’s 3-2 victory, Ronaldo was summoned to speak.
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:33
Portugal vs Switzerland
The fans are ready. Will Portugal live up to their favourites tag or can Switzerland pull off the second World Cup shock of the day?
(REUTERS)
(PA)
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones6 December 2022 18:30