Rafael Leao Goncalo Ramos Portugal 2023

Portugal player ratings vs Luxembourg: Goncalo Ramos runs the show in 9-0 pummeling, while suspended Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the bench

As Cristiano Ronaldo watched on, his potential replacement ran rampant. Goncalo Ramos, favoured over the Selecao captain, scored twice and set the tone for a 8-0 thrashing over a Luxembourg side that offered very little resistance.

Portugal were on top from the first whistle, and didn't need long to turn their dominance into something more quantifiable. Bruno Fernandes — fresh off a star performance against Slovakia — provided the spark, sending a teasing ball into the box, perfectly placed for a Goncalo Inacio header.

The second came five minutes later, with Ramos strolling through the Luxembourg defence and firing a shot into the bottom corner. Ramos got his second after 30 minutes, rippling the back of the net from close range after a scamper and cut-back from Rafael Leao. Inacio put things beyond doubt on the stroke of half time, scoring his second of the night with a well-taken header.

A beating turned into a rout after the half. Diogo Jota grabbed himself a goal while ubstitute Ricardo Horta rifled one into the roof of the net. Jota, Fernandes, and, finally, Joao Felix rounded out a swaggering win for a side that might just be better without their brightest star.

GOAL rates Portugal's players from Estadio Algarve...

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