Goncalo Ramos produced three objectives and an help in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland on Tuesday whereas beginning rather than Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Ronaldo benched amid criticism
- Ramos had by no means began for Portugal earlier than
- Barely made squad earlier than shining in Qatar
WHAT HAPPENED? Ramos, 21, was named in Portugal’s World Cup squad partly as a result of an damage to Liverpool star Diogo Jota opened a spot for one more attacker. Ramos barely participated within the group stage and made simply his fourth-ever Portugal look in Tuesday’s win, taking full benefit of his alternative.
WHO IS RAMOS? Whereas Ramos had not but established himself at worldwide stage earlier than the World Cup final 16, he was thought of a vibrant prospect for the long run as a product of Benfica’s famed youth system. The teen has scored 9 objectives in 11 league matches for his membership this marketing campaign, and that manufacturing mixed together with his sudden World Cup position will seemingly make him a well known title all through Europe quickly.
AND WHAT’S MORE: His prior worldwide declare to fame got here in 2019, when he was top-scorer on the Beneath-19 European Championship.
At Benfica since 2013, when he was simply 12 years outdated, he is all the time been recognised for his ending skill, and with so many playmakers in Portugal’s World Cup squad, his precision capturing is an asset for head coach Fernando Santos.
STORY IN A PHOTO:
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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Portugal are well-stocked with promising attackers, however Ramos’ efficiency in opposition to Switzerland vaults him into the dialog to begin recurrently shifting ahead – even with AC Milan star Rafael Leao additionally pushing for a long-term place.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR RAMOS? Portugal might be favoured once more after they play in opposition to Morocco within the quarter-final on Saturday, and Ramos has made a robust case that he deserves to begin once more forward of Ronaldo and others.