Portugal recorded a resounding 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the round 16 at the Lusail Iconic stadium on Monday evening.
Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement, netted a hat-trick to propel the Selecão to massacre the Nati in Lusail.
Pepe, Rafael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also registered their names on the scoresheet, with Manuel Akanji scoring the only consolation goal for Switzerland.
Portugal will face off Morocco, Africa only representatives left, in the last eight on Saturday.
Goncalo Ramos sent in the opener in the top left corner in the 17th minute, after he latched onto Bruno Fernandez's pass inside the box to leave Yann Sommer helpless on the pitch.
Yann Sommer brilliantly kept out Otavio's first-time shot from the edge of the box in the 21st minute.
Pepe connected Bruno Fernandez's corner perfectly in the 33rd minute to send home the second goal for Portugal.
Diogo Costa saved Remo Freuler's rebound header after Edimilson Fernandes cross was intercepted with seven minutes to end the first half.
Goncalo Ramos registered his second for the night in the 51st minute after shooting Diogo Dalot's pass from inside the box .
Four minutes later, Raphael Guerreiro received a pass against the run of play from Goncalo Ramos before hitting home the fourth goal for Selecão.
Manuel Akanji pulled one back for the Nati with a sharp shot after latching onto a rebound deep inside the 18-yard-box.
Goncalo Ramos amazingly chipped above Diogo Costa, after Joao Felix played him through to net his hatrick in the 67th minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo's goal was ruled out for offside on the 84th minute by referee Cesar Arturo Ramos.
Rafael Leao darted into the box to complete Portugal's onslaught on the 92nd minute, as Rafael Guerreiro slipped him through with a perfectly weighted pass.
Fernando Santos decision to bench captain, Ronaldo bare fruit after Goncalo Ramos run the show against Murat Yakin's men.
Portugal will hope to reach the last four for the third time in their history after 1966 and 2006.
By: Abdul Razak Salim
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