Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: Cristiano Ronaldo scores sensational hat-trick to secure Nations League final place on Sunday

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.getty2

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.getty2

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.

VAR CHAOS!Now now, what's going on here? Portugal think they have a stonewall pen, but the Swiss had a one waved away seconds earlier. The referee checks VAR and ends up awarding the Swiss penalty! Right decision? Watch on SS Main Event or follow here: https://t.co/UwAsrMqaoN pic.twitter.com/GBWI7LKbrV— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 5, 2019

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.

---

Football might not quite have made it home this year, but it can certainly still come to the office party. The now iconic style of England manager Gareth Southgate has inspired a new Christmas
19 unusual Christmas jumpers to see you through the festive

---

Leicester City have made an approach for Spain's newest star Brais Mendez, according to reports. The Celta Vigo attacking midfielder came off the bench to score the winner on his Spain debut on
Leicester City transfer gossip and news round up - 21st

---

Man United vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Free stream, full coverage, unusual kick-off time and team news
Everton vs Man United live on talkSPORT: Full commentary

---

~ Tottenham vs Ajax: Glenn Hoddle admits he can't believe Spurs are in a Champions League semi-final ~ Kenya Latest
Tottenham vs Ajax: Jan Vertonghen suffers horror injury in

---

Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers will have to pay Napoli £43.5million to land transfer target Amadou Diawara. The Guinean midfielder has found first-team football hard to come by
Amadou Diawara - Latest News Updates - hitc.com

---

May 31, 2019 · There are major selection decisions for both Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp ahead of the UEFA Champions League final, as key players for Tottenham and Liverpool have returned to fitness
Champions League final: Guillem Balague on Klopp & Pochettino

---

Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Verified account Protected Tweets @ Protected Tweets @
Alan Brazil slams FA decision to give Poland 10,000 extra

---

Rangers vs Celtic: Who will win this weekend's Old Firm? In the first of two Old Firm games this month, Rangers have the chance this weekend to stop Celtic from taking a domestic sweep again.
Celtic Archives - SportsAlert

---

Bournemouth defender Adam Smith could be out for up to three months after picking up a knee injury against Newcastle earlier this month. The full-back was stretchered off after receiving eight minutes of treatment during the Cherries' 2-1 defeat at St James' Park . 2 The injury is not […]
Bournemouth defender Adam Smith out for three months - Sportstar

---

West Ham have rejected an offer of £35million from a Chinese Super League club for Marko Arnautovic but could be tempted to sell if they receive an offer closer to £50m. It is understood the

---

Woeful Chelsea drop out of top four after humiliation on south coast Chelsea fans panic as Hudson-Odoi is left out of squad; reports of 'punishment' Bournemouth vs Chelsea line-ups

---

Neil Warnock has named the perfect man to come in and solve Britain's political crisis - Simon Jordan. Jordan, the former Crystal Palace chairman, slammed the state of UK politics LIVE on talkSPORT on the day we were supposed to leave the European Union.
Neil Warnock wants Simon Jordan to be Prime Minister after

---