PM celebrates Portugal’s ‘great show’ against Switzerland

On Tuesday, the Portuguese team put on a “great football show” as they reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, defeating Switzerland 6-1, Prime Minister António Costa, who was in Lusail, said.

“But the most important thing was the magnificent spectacle that the selection provided to all those who love football. More than goals, it was the collective feeling, joy and enjoyment that the players got from the game. I think it was a great evening. for all of us. I hope the next ones will be the same,” the head of government confided to reporters.

At the Estádio Lusail, the final stage of the competition, Portugal beat Switzerland in the last round of “eighth” with a “hat-trick” by Gonzalo Ramos, guaranteeing a third presence in the top 8 of the main qualifiers according to the 1966 and 2006 editions.

“It was an extraordinary game. We are all very touched by what the team did, not only because of the result, but also because of the way they played, and also because of the will and confidence they gave us all for the next games,” continued Antonio . Costa, saying that at the end of the match he went into the locker room to greet and congratulate the athletes.

Gonzalo Ramos “signed” the first “hat-trick” of the tournament at 17, 51 and 67 minutes, with Pepe at 33, Rafael Guerreiro at 55 and Rafael Leau at 90+2, reaching the remaining national targets. , and Manuel Akanji scored a goal for the Swiss in the 58th minute.

“If we have the luck that we all want to reach the final, I expect to come back here. If not, I will applaud in front of the TV like millions of Portuguese around the world,” said the Prime Minister. who traveled to Qatar for the first time since the start of the 2022 World Cup, after being replaced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ana Catarina Méndez, in charge of sports, in Friday’s loss against South Korea (1:2), Paulo Bento, in the third round of Group H by state of health.

Portugal will now play Morocco, which knocked out Spain on Tuesday (3-0 on penalties, after 0-0 in extra time), on Saturday at 18:00 local time (15:00 in Lisbon) at the Al-Tumama Stadium . in Doha, in a duel for the “quarters” of the 2022 World Cup.

“We were doomed to play with our neighbors. It will be a different game, but we clearly have the team to do what needs to be done. In such a competition, everything is possible and impossible. Who would say that in 2016 we will emerge as European champions “The truth is that we arrived, and this year the same thing may or may not happen. We have a difficult path, and Morocco, as it turned out, is playing very good.If we pass, we will have one of two great teams [nas meias-finais]either France or England. You cannot become a world champion without overcoming these obstacles and difficulties,” said António Costa.

Off the starting lineup for Dusaila’s game was Cristiano Ronaldo who replaced Joao Felix in the 74th minute, a day after Fernando Santos admitted he “didn’t really like anything” the captain’s attitude when he was substituted in a miss with South Korea. .

“Coaches have to make tough decisions. Cristiano Ronaldo is always a great player, but the manager makes his own choices and we have to respect and support him. The truth is that with Fernando Santos we have always had a good career and we also do it. in this World Cup. Football is a team game, and it is necessary to manage this team so that everyone is at their best at the right time. This is what is happening,” he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a starter in the previous three matches played by Portugal in Qatar, in which he has always been substituted in the second half. is without a club after the termination of the contract with Manchester United.

“Portugal is a country that has no enemies in the world and cultivates friendly relations. Then we have the superstar, which is Cristiano. In fact, when the stadium shouted “Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo”, you could see that many [dos adeptos] they were not Portuguese. You saw the reaction of the people when he came in. There is an extraordinary empathy. In addition to the team, he adds a lot for himself,” concluded António Costa, who left Albania this afternoon, where he participated in the first European Union summit with the Western Balkans.