Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, has explained why he left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for their 6-1 win over Switzerland in the World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday.

Ronaldo’s replacement, 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick in addition to goals from Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, and substitute Rafael Leao.

Santos’ men have now set up a quarter-final with Morocco on Saturday.

Ronaldo was restricted to a 17-minute cameo after reacting negatively to being taken off in Portugal’s final group match – a 2-1 loss to South Korea.

When asked to explain Ronaldo’s absence from the starting line-up – the first time he has failed to start a Portugal match at a tournament since 2008 – Santos claimed it was purely tactical.

“Andre [Silva] who is a great player who plays more advanced, Cristiano is more fixed, he stays in a more determined area towards the box. Goncalo has different characteristics. He is very dynamic and the observations I made and that is what he ended up showing us.

“It is nothing new, he already came on in two matches, but I would say as Andre also played in a previous match, I have three players I fully trust. For each match, I will use whatever player I see for my strategy. All the players on the bench can be used [against Morocco [even] if they are not in the starting XI.”

A furious congressman from Mexico has legally filed a petition against Lionel Messi in an attempt to prohibit the Argentina captain from visiting the country.

Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 at the World Cup in Qatar after suffering a stunning upset against Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener.

Messi’s sensational low-powered finish from outside the box in the second half gave Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa no chance to stop it.

The star player from Paris Saint-Germain then assisted Enzo Fernandez in setting up Argentina’s second goal, which was scored by the Benfica player with an amazing curling shot into the top corner.

After his team’s crucial 2-0 victory at the Lusail Stadium, Messi was seen exchanging shirts with Mexico captain Andres Guardado.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was at the center of controversy as happy Argentina players celebrated in the locker room following their convincing victory.

While taking off his boot, Messi appeared to flick a Mexico shirt that was on the locker room floor with his foot.

Messi received a threat from boxing legend Canelo Alvarez after the Argentina star’s actions infuriated angry Mexicans.

Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno, a politician from Mexico, is one of those who disapproved of Argentina captain Messi for his “lack of respect toward Mexico” during the World Cup.

To bar Messi from entering Mexico, the 37-year-old prominent transgender activist has called for a “persona non grata” designation against him.

“The Chamber of Deputies of the Honorable Congress of the Union respectfully urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the corresponding Declaration to declare persona non grata within the territory of the United Mexican States to the citizen of Argentine and Spanish nationality, Lionel Andres Messi Cuccitini, due to his manifest contempt and lack of respect towards Mexico during the World Cup of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Saturday, November 26, 2022,” the document reads.

Sergio Aguero, a former teammate of Messi’s in Argentina, vehemently defended him and denounced Canelo for sending the threatening message to the legendary Barcelona player.

After realizing he had been tricked by a fake Instagram post that showed a photo of the Mexico shirt being used to mop the floor, Canelo later apologized to Messi.  

When questioned about Canelo’s unexpected threat, Messi responded: “Anyone who knows me knows that I never disrespect anyone.

“I don’t have to apologize because I did not disrespect the Mexico shirt or anyone.”

Shocking video has surfaced online of football great and current Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o punching a guy outside a stadium during the World Cup in Qatar.

The stunning film shows the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker exiting Stadium 974 in Doha, having just witnessed Brazil cruise to victory over South Korea in their round-of-16 encounter.

At first, Eto’o looks glad to pose for selfies with waiting fans as he makes his way out of the stadium, but a guy with a video camera approaches him to his right, Daily Mail said.

The tape, taken by La Opinion, then appears shows the two exchanging words, before the camera switches to a few seconds later, with Eto’o coming to the area to confront the guy.

It is unclear what was said to rile Eto’o – who is in Qatar in his role as World Cup 2022 legacy ambassador – but he reacts furiously and begins to push the cameraman.

At this point, various onlookers step in to try and quell the disruption, but Eto’o is set on chasing the man and eventually has to be held back as he continues to try and confront him.

With four men holding Eto’o back, the footage then shows him giving his phone to a man, before breaking out of the huddle to knee the man in the face, knocking him to the ground.

The hard strike seems to come while the victim is leaning down, leaving him oblivious of Eto’o coming to resume the argument.

Although understandably stunned, the anonymous guy is assisted to his feet and did not seem to be severely harmed by the unexpected strike, while Eto’o is pulled back again by two men.

As stated by La Opinion, Eto’o was promptly asked what had occurred by reporters, but he was ‘out of his mind’ and was swiftly escorted away by security.

An hour before the nasty event happened, Eto’o was spotted inside the stadium with former NFL player Chad Johnson while watching the Brazil match.

His biggest focus in Qatar was, certainly, watching his team Cameroon and how their tournament evolved, but it came to a dismal finish with a group stage elimination — despite a win against Brazil.

The suspension of Andre Onana by Cameroon at the World Cup, according to Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi, was the consequence of a “misunderstanding”.

The 26-year-old Nerazzurri goalkeeper departed Qatar before to his nation’s final encounter against Brazil after being benched for his nation’s second group match against Serbia.

Following his surprise relegation, which the Cameroon team administrators ascribed to unclear “disciplinary reasons,” Onana made a statement.

Onana allegedly had a quarrel with manager Rigobert Song regarding his playing style in the 1-0 loss against Switzerland, when he had the most touches outside of the penalty area ever seen by a goalie in a World Cup game.

Onana hasn’t been influenced by the incident, according to Inzaghi, who has talked to him since his departure.

“I’ve spoken to all the guys involved in the World Cup,” he said. “We have four who made it to the quarter-finals.

"Romelu Llukaku and Onana are out; they will arrive between Friday and Saturday and join the group. Physically they are all fine, we are expecting them.

“There was a misunderstanding that he [Onana] paid for, but I spoke to him and he is calm.

“I can talk about what happened at Inter. He’s a positive guy; when he had to be on the bench he stayed there, when he had to play he played.

“On Friday he’ll be in Appiano and will start working with us.”

Inzaghi also spoke about Lukaku, who had a difficult time as Belgium finished last in their group after a 0-0 draw with Croatia.

Roberto Martinez, the manager of the Red Devils, substituted the Inter striker at halftime, but he managed to waste a number of excellent opportunities to give his team the victory.

“Clearly he was disappointed,” Inzaghi added. “It’s a World Cup and he cares so much about his national team.

“He played 45 minutes and he had three chances. If you are getting the chances, a striker has to stay calm.”

Inter plays friendlies against Salzburg, Real Betis, Reggina, and Sassuolo before returning to Serie A action on January 4 against Napoli.