20:54
FULL-TIME: Portugal 6-1 Switzerland
Portugal are through to the quarter-finals
20:50
GOAL! PORTUGAL 6-1 Switzerland
90+2min: In four minutes of added on time, Rafael Leao marks his cameo with a superb goal. He cuts inside to the box from the left before his dipping effort across goal leaves Sommer flat-footed to wrap up a stunning Portugal display.
20:49
Switzerland substitution
89min: Final change for Switzerland too as Ardon Jashari replaces Breel Embolo who has faded after a bright opening to the game.
20:46
Portugal substitution
87min: Final change from Portugal as Rafael Leao replaces Bruno Fernandes.
20:45
Portugal 5-1 Switzerland
84min: Ronaldo has the ball in the net after running on to a pass over the top, but he is a good couple of yards offside - and he knows it due to his lack of celebration.
As offside is confirmed, there are loud boos from supporters inside the ground.
20:41
Portugal substitution
81min: A fourth change for Portugal as Bernardo Silva comes off for Ruben Neves who had also dropped out the side.
Portugal 5-1 Switzerland
79min: We are just about playing out time now, I think the white flag is out for Switzerland they have been well beaten this evening.
Portugal 5-1 Switzerland
76min: Portugal then win a free-kick 25 yards out - and the cheers go up again knowing who is going to take it.
Ronaldo though slams his effort straight into the wall.
20:34
Triple Portugal substitution
74min: Another huge cheer as Ronaldo makes his 195th appearance for Portugal - and he has a wry smile as he takes to the turf. He is loving this! He replaces Joao Felix as Ramos and Otavio also depart to make way for Ricardo Horta and and Vitinha.
Portugal 5-1 Switzerland
70min: Huge cheers inside Lusail Stadium, and it's so loud it's like a goal has been scored - you can guess why. Cristiano Ronaldo is coming on...
20:30
Goncalo Ramos celebrates netting the first 2022 World Cup hat-trick
20:26
GOAL! PORTUGAL 5-1 Switzerland
67min: Fans have been cheering for Ronaldo to come on, forget him though it's his replacement doing the business as Goncalo Ramos runs onto a through ball into the box to clip a finish over Sommer and score the first hat-trick of these World Cup finals. He couldn't have dreamed this.
20:26
Switzerland substitution
66min: Another Switzerland change as Ruben Vargas makes way for Noah Okafor.
20:23
Akanji taps home Switzerland's 'consolation' at the back post
20:17
GOAL! Portugal 4-1 SWITZERLAND
58min: Surely just a consolation for Switzerland as Manuel Akanji taps home at the far post after a corner is nodded on by Ramos.
20:15
GOAL! PORTUGAL 4-0 Switzerland
55min: Not quite sure where the Switzerland full-backs have gone here but I know where one of the Portugal ones is.
In a pincer like counter, Raphael Guerriero is fed the ball inside the box and he smashes high past Sommer.
20:15
Double Switzerland substitution
54min: Haris Seferovic and Denis Zakaria are on to replace Djibril Sow and Remo Freuler.
20:10
GOAL! PORTUGAL 3-0 Switzerland
51min: Oh look at that timing! It's Goncalo Ramos again, attacking the near post to turn home a low Diogo Dalot cross in front of Comert.
Big smiles from Ronaldo warming up on the touchline, but an even bigger one from Ramos who is making his full debut this evening and has marked it with two goals!
Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
48min: Yet it's Portugal who remain on top at the start of the half. You do get a feeling a third Portugal goal will kill this tie.
20:05
SECOND HALF: Switzerland do make a change at the break
Fabian Schar had a very difficult first half and he has been replaced by Eray Comert at the back, with Switzerland ditching the makeshift back five involving Granit Xhaka for a back four.
20:04
Ramos already eclipsing Ronaldo at a World Cup
1 - Gonçalo Ramos scored more goals for Portugal in the World Cup knockout stages after 17 minutes (1) than Cristiano Ronaldo has in 514 minutes played in the competition's knockout rounds (0). Vindicated. pic.twitter.com/akYz7qNgvS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2022
20:03
No complaints over the scoreline
Ronaldo dropped and Portugal deliver arguably one of the best first half performances of the tournament so far.
After a slow 10 minutes, Fernando Santos's side soon grew into the game and are very good value for their 2-0 lead.
The way they are going, Ronaldo may not even get on the pitch.
Switzerland need a rethink, perhaps a change of system. They are not out of this yet but they can't afford another 45 minutes playing like that.
19:49
HALF-TIME: Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
19:47
Four added minutes in Lusail
5 - Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in five goals in three games at the 2022 #FIFAWorldCup (two goals and three assists); the most by a Portuguese player in a single edition of the tournament since 1966 (10 Eusébio & 6 José Torres). Class. pic.twitter.com/fQ1uX3HuR1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2022Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
43min: Not convinced by this Switzerland defence at all. From another corner, Pepe outmuscles Fernandes to nod the ball back into the mixer, where Akanji and Sommer get in each other's way trying to clear the ball. They are looking very unorganised.
19:44
Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
42min: Schar is having a poor game as he is booked for a retrospective foul on Joao Felix, that comes moments before Ramos is put in on goal only for his low effort to be pushed behind by Sommer.
Portugal 2-0 Switzerland
39min: Not the most convincing of goalkeeping I have ever seen from Costa. Edimilson Fernandes's low ball to the near post is poorly parried by the keeper straight to Remo Freuler, but the midfielder can not divert a header on target before Costa recovers to eventually help Portugal clear their lines.
19:39
How Pepe doubled Portugal's lead over Switzerland
Pepe by the way has become the second oldest World Cup goalscorer behind the famous Roger Milla who was 42 when he scored for Cameroon at USA '94
19:33
GOAL! PORTUGAL 2-0 Switzerland
33min: But Schar's good work is undone! Pepe jumps behind the defender from the set-piece and by also holding off Manuel Akanji powers home a header.
He is approaching 40 by the way. Age is just a number, folks.
Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
32min: Brave defending from Schar, who has to take a risk by heading a Portugal cross towards his own goal - nodding wide in the process.
Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
29min: Breel Embolo has started well in the attack for Switzerland, looking strong on the ball as he shrugs off Ruben Dias before being brought down 25 yards out.
Xherdan Shaqiri take the free-kick, and he forces Diogo Costa to tip the ball wide at his near post.
19:29
Ronaldo did join in with the celebrations for Ramos's goal with team-mates
Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
26min: Switzerland may be forced into a change here, with Fabian Schar having gone down needing treatment. He goes off the field for a bit more attention but I fancy he will continue for now.
Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
23min: Portugal are starting to light up now. Otavio has a volley into the ground well saved by Sommer, while moments later Ramos nearly adds a second with a shot from the edge of the box well stopped by Sommer. Bruno Fernandes was also in space to receive a pass but Ramos's confidence is soaring after that goal - he wasn't going to pass there in a month of Sundays.
19:21
How Goncalo Ramos rifled Portugal ahead against Switzerland
19:17
GOAL! PORTUGAL 1-0 Switzerland
17min: What a goal! Of course it's Ronaldo's replacement Goncalo Ramos who gets it, as he takes a ball at the near post before rifling home into the top corner with an unstoppable effort!
He's only played 30 minutes of football for Portugal before this evening!
Portugal 0-0 Switzerland
12min: For about the first time in this game Portugal are enjoying a spell on the ball. So far though they are just copying Switzerland's approach of conservative passing.
It's the sort of football that didn't do Spain any favours earlier.
Portugal 0-0 Switzerland
9min: So far Switzerland are the team on top, dominating possession without causing too much of a threat. I'm a little bit surprised by that. I thought we would see more of an attacking approach from Fernando Santos's side.
Portugal 0-0 Switzerland
6min: It's Switzerland with the first glimpse of goal though, with Embolo having a shot well blocked by the alert Pepe.
Portugal 0-0 Switzerland
3min: Quiet start on the pitch, no chances as yet as Breel Embolo recovers from a small knock on the touchline after a battle for the ball.
19:01
Where were all the cameras for the national anthems?
Only one answer really...
19:00
KICK-OFF: Switzerland get this game underway
Here is a reminder of both teams as the final last-16 tie of this round gets underway:
Portugal: Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro, Otavio, William Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix.
Subs: Rui Patricio, Joao Palhinha, Ronaldo, Andre Silva, Jose Sa, Leao, Vitinha, Joao Mario, Neves, Joao Cancelo, Ricardo Horta, Matheus Luiz, Silva.
Switzerland: Sommer, Fernandes, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas, Embolo.
Subs: Elvedi, Zakaria, Seferovic, Steffen, Omlin, Aebischer, Fassnacht, Comert, Okafor, Frei, Kobel, Kohn, Rieder, Jashari.
Referee: Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos (Mexico)
18:58
Both teams are now out at the Lusail Stadium
Here's a reminder of the bracket updated following the Spain's game. As the anthems are observed by the way, there is a huge cheer around the stadium when Ronaldo's face is shown singing on the big screen.
18:54
Ronaldo has taken his place on the substitutes' bench
Ronaldo takes his place on the bench and as he does there are a swarm of photographers in front of him looking to catch the moment.
18:48
The last time Ronaldo was dropped at a major tournament - 31 games ago... also against Switzerland
2008 - Cristiano Ronaldo is not starting a game for Portugal at a major tournament for the first time since 2008 (also against Switzerland), ending a 31-game streak. Benched. pic.twitter.com/LW7MekodRa
— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) December 6, 2022
18:31
Ronaldo and Portugal are out warming up
He's been giving a smile and a thumbs up to someone inside the Lusail Stadium where his partner Georgina Rodriguez is.
18:25
From former England defender Jamie Carragher on Twitter
Would Santos the manager of Portugal drop #Ronaldo just because of his reaction to being subbed in the last game?
A manager at club level maybe yes.
With possibly 3 games to a WC final🤔
I think he has been left out because of his performances not his reaction. #WorldCup2022
18:23
Sportsmail's former Premier League winner Chris Sutton in Lusail
Good point from Sutton here, he is still surely going to come on if Portugal need a goal this evening. How will he react on the pitch...will he go on the pitch?
Ronaldo left out of the Portuguese starting line up. Is there a possibility if he’s asked to go on for the last few minutes he will storm off down the tunnel and go home…?
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) December 6, 2022
18:21
Portugal fans are sticking by Ronaldo - despite his axing
18:18
From Mail on Sunday's chief sports writer Oliver Holt in Lusail
I guess Ronaldo will accuse Portugal of disrespect now. His ego has become so distorted he has forgotten football is a team game and you have to earn your place on merit
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) December 6, 2022
18:14
Two changes for Switzerland by the way
Returning to the side having missed the 3-2 win over Serbia last time out is keeper Yann Sommer in place of Gregor Kobel, while Silvan Widmer drops out the side to be replaced by Edimilson Fernandes.
18:06
Switzerland starting XI
Sommer, Fernandes, Akanji, Rodriguez, Schar, Freuler, Xhaka, Sow, Vargas, Shaqiri, Embolo.
17:58
The Portuguese FA finally confirm their starting XI - and Ronaldo's axing
There are four changes that sealed their last-16 spot with a 2-0 win over Uruguay, with full-backs Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes dropping out to make way for Diogo Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro, while Otavio comes in for Ruben Neves in the midfield. Ronaldo's replacement is Goncalo Ramos.
17:51
Huge drama in today's first last-16 tie, with Spain being knocked out on penalties by Morocco!
Remember, the winner of that game faces the winner of tonight's encounter here.
More on the massive upset of the last-16 below...
17:45
Portugal's starting XI - without Ronaldo
Diogo Costa; Dalot, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Cancelo; Otavio, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix.
17:44
Switzerland's team has also arrived
17:35
Still no goals after over two hours of football and that means only one thing - penalties.
Again we will keep our focus on Portugal vs Switzerland, but you can follow the shootout drama on the link below...
17:33
And that is a tense looking Cristiano Ronaldo that has arrived in Lusail
17:28
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be AXED from the Portugal starting XI
Portuguese reports, including the Record and O Jogo are suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo will start the game from the bench!
17:19
Switzerland are looking to reach their first quarter-final in 68 years
Long wait, that. Not even I was alive to remember it. It was when they hosted the World Cup back in 1954 - it's a famous encounter too.
Austria prevailed 7-5 in what is still the record highest goal scoring World Cup game of all time. Not sure how, it was played in the heat of just under 40 degrees Celsius in Lausanne. Imagine a game today having half the amount of goals in that heat, let alone setting records!
17:05
KATE McGREAVY: Cristiano Ronaldo will be 'out of sight, out of mind' if he joins cash-rich Saudi club Al-Nassr following his Manchester United exit, according to former USA defender Alexi Lalas.
Click below for more
16:55
It's been a cagey affair but both sides have had chances to break the deadlock in this game. It's still 0-0 though after 90 minutes so if you wish to follow the rest of the action check out our live coverage with Oli 'no goals' Gamp right here...
16:50
Lots of love for the 'La'eeb hype show' outside the Lusail Stadium...
I have no idea what this is by the way. All I can imagine in my head is the World Cup mascot doing a stand-up comedy gig in front of a small crowd with a brick wall background.
16:41
De Boer told Talksport that the 37-year-old has to be 'a little bit smarter' in the wake of his latest sulk.
Click below for more
16:33
At the very least Ronaldo's Portugal shirt is hanging in the dressing room
That's not to say he is starting of course but it's a good opening qualifier isn't it? We've already had one occasion in this tournament where Luis Suarez's shirt was missing ahead of him dropping out of the starting XI.
16:23
You can read more on the subject from Sportsmail's chief sports writer below, as well as watch the video via our World Cup Confidential.
16:14
The Lusail Stadium is gearing up for this game ahead of fan arrivals
16:06
There have been 25 meetings between these teams over the years
Familiar foes you might think - well their World Cup history goes way back to 1938 and just the competition's third edition when Switzerland knocked Portugal out in a World Cup qualifier ahead of the finals in France.
They have since met a further eight times in this competition but never in the actual finals.
Already in 2022 they have played each other twice, with Switzerland's 1-0 win in June (below) coming just a week after losing a reverse Nations League fixture 4-0.
15:58
In happier news regarding the Portugal camp...
They have already been on their pre-match walk this morning in the sunny climes of Qatar. Certainly beats the late autumn chill of Britain right now.
15:50
Portuguese media have hinted that Ronaldo is likely to keep his place this evening, but they are not certain and that on its own is noteworthy.
I mean how many times in our lives have we ever considered Cristiano Ronaldo anything else other than the first name on the Portugal team sheet?
I'm old enough to remember debates over whether he was ready/old enough to start for the national team at Euro 2004 but that was a generation ago!
Click below for more
15:39
But the story took a new twist when Santos admitted he didn't like Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted during the match.
Given Ronaldo's mixed form at this tournament, this now puts his starting XI place in doubt ahead of the last-16 tie with Switzerland.
Click below for more...
15:27
So let's dive into this Cristiano Ronaldo saga shall we and go through the things we know.
It all started when he was substituted in the 2-1 defeat by South Korea and there were reports by national media he had been verbally disrespectful to manager Fernando Santos as he departed the pitch.
Ronaldo claimed he was voicing his unhappiness at a South Korean player, and Santos backed this claim up at the time.
Click below for more
15:17
Our other last-16 tie today is already underway with Morocco taking on Spain. We are focusing on all things Portugal vs Switzerland here but if you wish to follow the other game in more depth then check out our live blog right here with Sportsmail's Oli Gamp.
15:09
Here is how the World Cup bracket looks heading into today's action
Portugal vs Switzerland will be our final game this evening concerning the last-16 ties, and they will face the winner of Spain and Morocco.
15:02
You can take the boy out of the drama
But you can't take the drama out of the boy. Once more the focus is on Cristiano Ronaldo this evening and his place in the starting line-up after a spat with manager Fernando Santos.
t's never dull when the former Manchester United forward is around so welcome to our live coverage of the final last-16 tie to be played at this World Cup as Portugal take on Switzerland.
English (United States) ·