You can watch the Live Match Stream of Portugal Vs Switzerland via beIN CONNECT
Match Report
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.
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.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Haris Seferovic each missed presentable openings as Switzerland started the stronger.
They were made to rue those misses 25 minutes in. Ronaldo, having won a free-kick thanks to a robust challenge from Kevin Mbabu, fired the ball past a messy wall and into the bottom-right corner beyond the static Yann Sommer.
There was a further chance for Seferovic, whose half-volley from Mbabu's cross clipped the crossbar, and Joao Felix spurned an opportunity to mark his debut with a goal when Ronaldo played him through.
Switzerland drew level 12 minutes after the restart, though - and in extraordinary fashion.
Portugal were awarded a penalty after Bernardo Silva was clearly fouled by Fabian Schar, but referee Felix Brych overturned the decision and awarded a spot-kick to Switzerland as, earlier in the same passage of play, Nelson Semedo made the slightest of contact with Steven Zuber and tripped him in the box. Rodriguez dispatched the ball from 12 yards despite Rui Patricio's best efforts.
There was a further blow to Portugal when Pepe went off with an arm injury, and Switzerland began to look the most likely to snatch a winner, with Shaqiri causing particular problems and Mbabu setting up chances for Zuber and Renato Steffen.
But Ronaldo came to his side's aid when it mattered most. He struck his second goal with a low first-time finish from a Silva cut-back, and he added a third in the 90th minute, racing into the penalty area, bamboozling Manuel Akanji and rifling past Sommer.
Goals/Highlights
Seconds later Ronaldo grabs his hat-trick! Curling the ball past Sommer! The Dragao erupts and Portugal are in the Nations League final!
Goal! Right man, right time! Cristiano Ronaldo surely fires Portugal into the Nations League final with a crisp first-time strike from a Bernardo Silva cross!
VAR Drama! Switzerland is awarded a penalty after Steven Zuber was adjudged to have been fouled in the area! After a lengthy review, Ricardo Rodríguez steps up and finds the bottom corner! 1-1 Game on!
Chance! Haris Seferović clips the crossbar with a close-range effort!
Goal! Who else but Ronaldo! Portugal's all-time leading scorer marks his return to the side with a delightful free-kick!
Chance! An early sniff for Cristiano Ronaldo, who smacks his shot just wide.
Chance! Xherdan Shaqiri goes close to opening the scoring for the visitors!
Peep! We underway in Porto!
Preamble
Good news gang! We have England legend Paul Robinson in the studio! The former Three Lions stopper likes the cut of Joao Felix's jib! The Benfica teenager makes his debut tonight!
The boy's a bit special ✨
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 5, 2019
Benfica's João Félix makes his senior debut for Portugal tonight alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Man City & Man United are both reportedly interested in the 19-year-old.
Follow live updates 👉 https://t.co/nyGtObynd6#NationsLeague #PORSUI pic.twitter.com/zsKvMfqx7a
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the Portugal fold after missing the Nations League! After winning the league with Juventus I wonder how desperate CR7 will be to lift another trophy with his national side?!
What do you make of @Cristiano's international record? 👀 #NationsLeague #PORSUI pic.twitter.com/tpFrb9czGi
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 5, 2019
15 Minutes or so till game time! Who are you backing tonight?!
Not long till kick-off ⏰
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 5, 2019
What are your predictions for the first Semi-Final clash? 🤔#NationsLeague #PORSUI
Now time for the Portugal team news! Cristiano Ronaldo starts alongside exciting teenage star João Félix. Veteran defender Pepe is in the side alongside youngster Rúben Dias. An interesting blend of youth and experience from Fernando Santos.
Este é o nosso 11 inicial para hoje! Força, Portugal! #TodosPortugal
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 5, 2019
This is our starting XI! Come on, Portugal! #TeamPortugal pic.twitter.com/yytqoegqLm
Don't forget there is plenty of Nations League action tomorrow with England taking on the Netherlands. The winner will face off against Portugal or Switzerland in the final!
Is a spot in the #NationsLeague Final coming home for @England? 👀#NEDENG pic.twitter.com/X7pArCLYhN
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 5, 2019
We are certainly expecting a partisan crowd in Porto tonight!
😍🇵🇹 #NationsLeague #TodosPortugal pic.twitter.com/CjiR3Ukgwa
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 5, 2019
*Team News Klaxon* Let's get this party started! First up Switzerland show us their Nations League credentials! Vladimir Petkovic has gone with a tight looking 4-4-1-1 formation. The headlines, Premier League pair Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri start after their European Cup Final adventures with Arsenal and Liverpool. Keep an eye out for Benfica Striker Haris Seferović, who scored a hat-trick against Belgium to lead his nation to the finals in Portugal!
Unsere Aufstellung | Notre composition | Nostra formazione 🇨🇭⚽👊#PORSUI #FinalFour#HoppSchwiiz #HopSuisse #ForzaSvizzera #HopSvizra pic.twitter.com/nUz779dtv2
— nationalteams_SFVASF (@SFV_ASF) June 5, 2019
So here we go! Who will come out on top between Portugal and Switzerland? Will it be Cristiano Ronaldo or erm Granit Xhaka? Anyway, both sets of players look focused ahead of the big game!
👋 🇵🇹🇨🇭
— UEFA Nations League (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2019
Who's going to put in a big performance?#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/BdcpIFnUFj
Good evening! Fancy a slice of the latest tournament from UEFA? Of course, you do! Portugal takes on Switzerland in the first semi-final of the Nations League from the rather picturesque Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Join me for all the latest build-up from the game, including team news, match commentary and goals as they go in! Let's go!
