“We have to think about this team collectively now,” Santos said,before talking about Ronaldo. “I still consider he has a very important role in the team.”

That might now be a substitute and an experienced head in the locker room.

Ronaldo was dropped a day after Santos expressed his unhappiness at the striker’s attitude after he was substituted against South Korea in the team’s final group game. After the Switzerland game,the coach said it was a strategic decision,not a disciplinary one.

Ramos was a surprise replacement — he had previously only made three substitute appearances for Portugal — and took his chance.

Ramos,who was only two years old when Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003,produced the first hat-trick at this year’s World Cup. He also did something Ronaldo has never achieved — score a knockout goal at soccer’s biggest tournament.

Ramos drove a rising shot with his left foot inside Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s near post for the first goal,flicked deftly through Sommer’s legs from close range for the second,and then ran through to chip the goalkeeper for his third.

Ronaldo was seen smiling while he was warming up on the side of the field after Ramos’ second goal.

“Cristiano,as captain,did what he always does,” Ramos said. “He helped us and encouraged us,not only myself but my colleagues.”

Ramos even had an assist,playing the ball through for Guerreiro to score the fourth goal.

Ronaldo had a couple of chances after coming on,and even thought he had scored when he ran through and drove a low shot past Sommer.

The goal was disallowed for offside,much to the irritation of the fans — Portuguese or from other countries — who had come to see him play.

AP

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