Fernando Santos:
A clearly frustrated Ronaldo performed dreadfully during the group stage, culminating in him disrespecting Santos while leaving the field against South Korea. His relegation to the bench was wholly justified, both from a sporting and disciplinary perspective. But this was still a colossal call by the coach. This is Ronaldo we're talking about. He's one of the all-time greats. He's not just the Selecao skipper - he's been their talisman for well over a decade, and so often their saviour. Had this gone wrong, Santos would have been slated by not just Portugal's numerous Ronaldo supporters, but also the world's. However, Santos got it spot on. It wasn't just that Ramos scored a hat-trick, it was the fact that Portugal performed with far greater freedom, fluidity and potency without the international game's all-time record goalscorer. In ditching Ronaldo, Santos appears to have set his team free.
Goncalo Ramos:
It should not get lost in all of the controversy caused by Santos' selection just how much pressure was placed upon the shoulders of Goncalo Ramos. At just 21 years of age, and on his first start for his country, in a World Cup last-16 tie, he was tasked with replacing Ronaldo. The Benfica striker had played just 33 minutes of international football going into this game, and yet he only needed a further 17 to show precisely why he had been picked. Given the angle, there appeared to be little chance of Ramos beating the recalled Yann Sommer from the left-hand side of the penalty area, yet the forward's shot was unleashed with such ferocity that the Swiss goalkeeper actually had no chance. His second goal was a neat near-post finish, while his third was a beautiful dinked finish. As he ran away to celebrate his treble, even Ramos looked astounded by his achievement. He had just become the first Portuguese player to hit a hat-trick in the World Cup knockout stage since Eusebio. On a night when it was made abundantly clear to even some of his staunchest supporters that Ronaldo's star is fading, another was born.
Pepe:
How is Pepe still doing this at 39 years of age? There were signs during the group stage that age might finally be catching up with the centre-back, little glimpses of weakness, particularly when faced with pacey players. However, he was head and shoulders above every other defender here, most notably when he rose to power home Portugal's second goal to become the oldest goalscorer in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Also worth noting that he has two more knockout stage goals than Ronaldo too... Pepe has always been a polarising figure. Calling him a master of the dark arts is putting it kindly. But love him or loathe him, it's impossible not to respect his ludicrous longevity.
