Sorcerer strikes

On target: Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos (right) celebrates after scoring against Switzerland at the Lusail Stadium. — AP

FEW fans had heard of Goncalo Ramos before Portugal’s 6-1 demolition of Switzerland on Tuesday took them into the World Cup quarter-finals but after a hattrick and an assist the striker made sure they will never forget him.

In a brave and bold move that turned out to be a coaching masterstroke, Fernando Santos left five-time Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and gave the 21-year-old, nicknamed ‘the Sorcerer’, his first start, and the forward instantly lived up to his moniker.