A stunning hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo fired Portugal into the final of the Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Porto.
2018/2019 UEFA Nations League
3-1
Match Report
A strong Switzerland performance counted for nothing as Cristiano Ronaldo scored three times to send Portugal into the Nations League final.
A closely fought contest at Estadio do Dragao was settled by the individual brilliance of the host nation's captain, who opened the scoring in the first half before striking twice in two minutes just as extra time looked likely.
Switzerland looked the better team for long spells and deservedly drew level after half-time thanks to Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty, which was awarded in remarkable circumstances after a Portugal spot-kick was overturned by VAR.
But Ronaldo ensured Portugal will contest the final of this inaugural competition against either England or Netherlands on Sunday thanks to two stunning pieces of finishing in the closing moments.
Player Ratings
Match Events
14' CLOSE! Ronaldo's shot wide out
Akanji plays the ball straight to Silva and the midfielder is quick to find Ronaldo. The superstar forward is unable to pick out the target with his first-time shot from 16 yards - he perhaps should have taken another touch.
25' GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Switzerland (Ronaldo)
GOOOOOAAAALLL!!! Ronaldo, without a goal in four internationals prior to today, sends his cleanly-struck free-kick past a wrong-footed Sommer from around 25 yards out to give Portugal the lead. The keeper was just completely caught out, perhaps expecting Ronaldo to go the opposite way - he should have done better.
45' No look pass from Ronaldo! Felix wastes chance
Ronaldo flicks the ball in behind for Felix, who lacks composure with just Sommer to beat. The youngster claims that he was knocked off balance by Rodriguez but a VAR check shows that he was simply outmuscled.
55' NO PENALTY! The Portugal pen is overruled
Portugal pen overruled; Pen awarder to Switzerland! Unbelievable! There was always a risk this would happen at some point after VAR was rolled out. The referee goes to the pitchside monitor to look at the Switzerland penalty shout in a little more detail and decides that Semedo did foul Zuber. The Portugal pen, awarded about 30 seconds later, is overruled and the visitors will instead have a chance to convert from 12 yards.
57' Penalty Goal! Portugal 1-1 Switzerland (Rodriguez)
GOOOOAAALLL!!! Rodriguez's pen creeps under the arms of Patricio and Switzerland are all square. The visitors deserve that goal, but to say it came amid controversial circumstances would be understating it!
88' GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Switzerland (Ronaldo)
GOOOOOAAALLL!!! The big player for the big occasion - yet again! Silva chases down a long ball, sends it into the box from the right and Ronaldo fires a composed finish past Sommer from 12 yards in a flash to surely win the match for Portugal.
90' GOAL! Portugal 3-1 Switzerland (Ronaldo)
GOOOOAAALLL!!! Ronaldo completes his hat-trick with a fine goal. He picked up the ball from Guedes on the edge of the box, shifts it inside Akanji and and curls it out of Sommer's reach to book a place in the final for the tournament hosts.