Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will look to get the better of Switzerland and advance to the next round of the World Cup when they face off in the last 16 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail on Tuesday evening.
The Portuguese outfit comes into this fixture after they finished top of Group H with six points.
Switzerland, meanwhile, progressed to the round of 16 after they finished in second place in Group G with six points after clinching wins over Cameroon and Serbia, with just a defeat against Brazil.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin: “The players had the goal to make history and this is still not finished.
“The team has moved closer together today. It is more experienced. Now we will enjoy the moment. In football, we live for these moments.
“We deserved this win. Portugal do not like to play against us. They are the favourites, but in a knockout stage game, anything can happen.
“I think the team is ready for this match and the battle.”
In the last four meetings between the two teams, Portugal has won three out of four matches to Switzerland’s one victory, with the last match ending in a narrow 1-0 win for the Swiss side in 2022.
Fernando Santos will be without three players due to injury, including Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira and Otávio, while Murat Yakin will be without Yann Sommer and Nico Elvedi, who are both out with the cold.
Bruno Fernandes has been one of Portugal’s top performing players at the tournament and has already contributed to four goals, including two goals and two assists in three matches.
Breel Embolo has been Switzerland’s go to man in attack as he has already found the back of the net on two occasions in three group stage appearances.
Portugal’s World Cup Form:
WWL
Switzerland’s World Cup Form:
WLW