Live updates: Portugal vs Switzerland and other World Cup news and highlights

The knockout phases are crammed with further stress this event for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as he seeks to win soccer’s greatest trophy along with his nation in what’s prone to be his final World Cup ever.

His aspect will line up on the Lusail Stadium because the slight favourite in opposition to Switzerland in its spherical of 16 match, however the Portuguese have already suffered a shock defeat in Qatar.

Portugal appeared to be cruising by way of the group phases, defeating Ghana and Uruguay to verify a spot within the knockout phases with a match to spare however succumbed to a shock defeat in opposition to South Korea within the final group stage match, after Hwang Hee-chan scored a 91st-minute winner off a Son Heung-min go.

Regardless of this, Portugal might be buoyed by the anticipated return of midfielder Otávio who has missed the final two video games with a thigh harm in addition to star defender Rúben Dias who was rested in opposition to the Taegeuk Warriors.

Switzerland, in the meantime, navigated a tough group with victories in opposition to Cameroon and Serbia seeing them by way of to the knockout phases regardless of a loss to Brazil.

The final time the 2 sides met was within the Nations League in June when Portugal dismantled Switzerland 4-0 in Lisbon. Nonetheless, Switzerland then recovered to win the return fixture 1-0 per week later.

“For me, it’s gonna be completely totally different as a result of there isn’t a pleasant recreation. That is no Nations League – the strain is excessive, and so now, it’s essential how the gamers cope with this strain,” Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri stated on Sunday, in keeping with Reuters.

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