World Cup

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World Cup | Last 16

Dec 6, 2022 at 7pm UK

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Portugal
6 - 1
Switzerland

Ramos (17', 51', 67'), Pepe (33'), Guerreiro (55'), Leao (90+2')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Akanji (58')
Schar (43'), Comert (59')

Bruno Fernandes reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo being benched against Switzerland

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 December 2022

Fernandes reacts to Ronaldo being benched against Switzerland

Bruno Fernandes says that it would be normal for Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to be "angry" at being dropped from the starting lineup.

Bruno Fernandes has said that it would be normal for Cristiano Ronaldo to be "angry" at being dropped from the starting lineup following his benching against Switzerland.

Ronaldo started Portugal's first three games at the 2022 World Cup against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea, but he was named on the bench for the last-16 contest with Switzerland.

A Selecao recorded a 6-1 victory on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals, with Ronaldo's replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring three times during a strong performance.

Fernandes has said that he would be "angry" if he were left on the bench for the team's next game.

"Do you think anyone likes to be on the bench?" Fernandes told reporters. "I don't think Cristiano would be happy. If the manager put me on the bench in the next game, I would be angry.

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes in action with Ghana's Inaki Williams at the World Cup on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

"We won the first two games with Cristiano in the first 11, and it could be that if Cristiano played, he could score three goals and no one would be speaking about Cristiano being on the bench.

"Cristiano is doing his job, he's doing his part, he's happy with the result because the goal for everyone is to go as far as possible.

"I don't think people should be talking about Cristiano and why he's not playing, because when Cristiano plays and the team wins, no one talks about that.

"When Cristiano plays and the team loses, everyone talks. [He is] the most famous player in the world. No one is more famous than Cristiano in sports, not in football, in sports."

Ronaldo found the back of the net against Ghana in Portugal's first match of the tournament, which saw him become the first men's player to score in five World Cups.

Portugal's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates on December 6, 2022 © Reuters

The 37-year-old hit the headlines ahead of the tournament when he gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, detailing his unhappiness with his situation at Manchester United.

The Red Devils terminated Ronaldo's contract following the interview, and the striker is now searching for a new club.

The forward has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but it is understood that he is holding out to continue his career at a Champions League club.

Portugal, meanwhile, are currently preparing for their World Cup quarter-final, with the European nation set to face Morocco in the last eight of the competition on Saturday.