Portugal boss Fernando Santos and hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos both believe Cristiano Ronaldo acted like a captain after being dropped for his side's last 16 win over Switzerland.
The headline news before the clash in Qatar was the omission of Ronaldo, who reacted angrily to being subbed off in Portugal's final group game. Santos made it clear he didn't appreciate his player's gesture and behaviour and chose to underline his authority by leaving him on the bench.
His call to throw Ramos into the mix proved to be masterstroke, but the pair were in agreement about Ronaldo's qualities. Santos said: “Cristiano and Ramos are different players. There is no problem with the captain of the national team. We've been friends for many years. He set the example of a captain”.
Ramos added after the win: "He's the captain, he's the leader and we always look forward to playing side by side with him." Ronaldo has become a divisive figure, largely down to his last 18 months at Manchester United. Ramos, a relatively unknown commodity before tonight, has now hammered home his own case to continue starting ahead of his compatriot.
Ronaldo, on a personal level, has by no means enjoyed the greatest of tournaments. He has left United abruptly and has so far managed to score just once - a penalty in the opening game against Ghana. Portugal's performance minus the 37-year-old may also see him resigned to the bench for the quarter-final.
Gary Neville conceded Santos' selection risk could've left him with egg on his face, but instead has looked like a masterstroke. He said on ITV : " It could have gone badly wrong for him and before kick-off we predicted Switzerland would do well, but Portugal are purring now this tournament.
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"You think about how Brazil played last night, Portugal tonight, England, France, the teams have obviously played weaker opposition - their last chance to do so now really - he took a chance Santos, not just leaving out Cristiano Ronaldo but Neves, Cancelo, but Cristiano Ronaldo was the big one and it’s paid off for him in abundance because they’ve put in a brilliant team performance, they were outstanding Portugal."
Prior to kick-off, with Ronaldo's South Korea antics still fresh in the mind, Neville confessed that his former team-mate must start facing reality or risk a messy end to his career. " This is a manager who’s got an unbelievable relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for eight years and there are a lot of fans of Cristiano Ronaldo who aren’t willing to tell him the truth and I think he does need to listen to the truth, that it’s becoming a little bit of a scruffy end."
Portugal will take on Morocco with the last eight after the Africans shocked Spain to win on penalties. The winner of that quarter-final will then take on the winner of England's heavyweight clash with France.
