Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: Cristiano Ronaldo scores sensational hat-trick to secure Nations League final place on Sunday
Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved to be the hero for Portugal with a hat-trick against Switzerland in the first ever Nations League semi-final.England and the Netherlands will have watched in fear as, after a largely anonymous game, the Juventus striker somehow managed to leave with the match-ball.Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the second of his three goalsgetty2
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the second of his three goals
After being felled in the first half, Ronaldo struck home a brilliant free-kick which left Yann Sommer completely stationery as the Swiss inquest began.The visitors did not deserve to be behind based on their first-half performance, but were level under controversial circumstances.After awarding Portugal a penalty, Felix Brych went back and checked VAR to a prior incident. After consulting with his monitor, the German awarded Switzerland a penalty, which Ricardo Rodriguez duly dispatched.But then Ronaldo took over.How on earth the Juventus striker is 34 is incrediblegetty2
How on earth the Juventus striker is 34 is incredible
At 34, fans and critics alike are waiting with bated breath for the day the five-time Ballon d’Or winner slows down. But his sweeping half-volley and trademark run and finish show there is still so much life left in the man from Madeira.And his hat-trick heroics have breathed life into this tournament, which continues tomorrow live on talkSPORT between England and the Netherlands from 7.45pm.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

While Ronaldo’s stepovers and thunderbolt into the far corner for his third was like opening up a time machine to his masterful best from 2009, he was (unbelievably) overshadowed somewhat.The decision by Brych to award a penalty for Switzerland, despite there being a more evident infringement later on, will cause concern for even the most ardent VAR supporter.After consulting one of the pitch-side monitors, he ruled thatNelson Semedo had fouled Steven Zuber. As a result, Portugal’s spot-kick was cancelled, and the Swiss were given the chance to equalise through one of their own.Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to take the penalty and scored, drawing Switzerland level and stunning the majority of those inside the Estdio do Drago.Had Portugal’s captain not stepped up, questions would have raged long into the night.

WHAT NEXT?

The Netherlands take on England tomorrow night at the Estdio D. Afonso Henriques in Guimares to determine who will play Portugal for the prestigious Nations League trophy.You can listen to the game live on talkSPORT from 7.45pm on Thursday night.The final will be played back at the Estdio do Drago in Porto, also live on talkSPORT from 7.45pm on Sunday night.
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