World Cup

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World Cup | Last 16

Dec 6, 2022 at 7pm UK

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Portugal
6 - 1
Switzerland

Ramos (17', 51', 67'), Pepe (33'), Guerreiro (55'), Leao (90+2')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Akanji (58')
Schar (43'), Comert (59')

Team News: Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to the bench by Portugal, Switzerland make two changes

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 06 December 2022

Team News: Ronaldo dropped to the bench by Portugal, Switzerland make two changes

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is dropped to the substitutes' bench for their World Cup 2022 last-16 clash against Switzerland this evening.

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has dropped Cristiano Ronaldo to the substitutes' bench for their World Cup 2022 last-16 clash against Switzerland this evening.

Santos revealed during his pre-match press conference that he "didn't like" Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted in Portugal's 2-1 group-stage defeat against South Korea last time out.

The 37-year-old will now begin on the bench at Lusail Stadium and is not starting for Portugal at a major tournament for the first time since 2008 (also against Switzerland).

Ronaldo is one of eight changes made by Santos to his first XI following Portugal's defeat to South Korea, which also sees Manchester City's Joao Cancelo named on the bench.

Raphael Guerreiro and Diogo Dalot have been selected to start as the full-backs at the expense of Cancelo, while Ruben Dias returns at centre-back alongside 39-year-old Pepe.

Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho and Otavio replace Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves and Vitinha in centre-midfield, while Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos starts ahead of Ronaldo in attack.

Ramos is joined up front with Joao Felix, with Bruno Fernandes set to operate just behind in the number 10 role, while Ricardo Horta and Joao Mario - who started in attack against South Korea - will begin on the bench this evening.

As for Switzerland, Murat Yakin has made two changes to his starting lineup, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer recovering from illness to replace Gregor Kobel between the sticks.

Versatile Mainz 05 midfielder Edimilson Fernandes is handed his first start of the tournament at right-back at the expense of Silvan Widmer, joining Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez in the back four.

Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler and Djibril Sow all retain their places in centre-midfield, while Xherdan Shaqiri in joined in attack by Breel Embolo and Ruben Vargas.

Portugal starting lineup: Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Otavio, Carvalho, B. Silva; Fernandes; Felix, Ramos

Subs: Patricio, Palhinha, Ronaldo, Andre Silva, Sa, Leao, Mario, Neves, Cancelo, Ricardo, Nunes, Antonio Silva

Switzerland starting lineup: Sommer; Fernandes, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Sow; Shaqiri, Embolo, Vargas

Subs: Kobel, Omlin, Kohn, Zakaria, Seferovic, Steffen, Aebischer, Fassnacht, Comert, Frei, Elvidi, Rieder, Jashari