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Jun 5, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
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3-1

Ronaldo (25', 88', 90')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Rodriguez (57' pen.)

Live Commentary: Portugal 3-1 Switzerland - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Portugal 3-1 Switzerland - as it happened: ID:360574: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Portugal beat Switzerland by a 3-1 scoreline in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.

Portugal have reached the UEFA Nations League final courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick for the hosts, the first of which came in the first half as the Juventus man drilled a 25-yard free kick into the far bottom corner.

Ricardo Rodriguez equalised for Switzerland from the spot, but Ronaldo scored twice in the final three minutes to set up a showdown with the Netherlands or England on Sunday evening.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in Porto courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Portugal and Switzerland. Both nations came through three-team groups between September and November, providing them with the chance of being the first-ever winners of this competition. The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch in Porto, so let's see who features in each starting lineup...
PORTUGAL XI: Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Fernandes, Carvalho, Neves, Bernardo, Ronaldo, Felix

PORTUGAL SUBSTITUTES: Cancelo, Fonte, Moutinho, Sousa, Jota, Sa, Silva, Guedes, Rui, Pizzi, Beto

SWITZERLAND XI: Sommer; Mbabu, Schar, Akinji, Rodriguez; Zakaria, Freuler, Xhaka, Zuber; Shaqiri; Seferovic

SWITZERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Moubandje, Elvedi, Lang, Okafor, Steffen, Mvogo, Benito, Ajeti, Sow, Drmic, Fernandes, Omlin

KICKOFF:  Portugal get us underway!
CHANCE!  It has been a really positive start from both sides, but the first chance goes to Switzerland. A pass was threaded through to Shaqiri inside the area, but Patricio came out to make a timely block from close range.
Both teams are so lively - is this really the start of June?! Switzerland put together another well-constructed move, but Mbabu cannot find Seferovic in space with his cross.
Portugal are now starting to see more of the ball, but Switzerland are ready to spring into action as soon as they regain possession. They are playing with a back three, rather than the expected four.
Could this have been a red? Fernandes has just launched himself into a tackle with Mbabu, and makes connection with the right wing-back's knee with his follow through. The referee takes no further action, but others would not have been so lenient.
Now Xhaka has jumped - two footed and studs first - into a tackle with Semedo. What was he thinking? I don't know what the referee was thinking either. No further action taken...
CHANCE!  Portugal should probably be ahead. Akanji misplaces a pass straight to Bernardo, who quickly sends the ball onto Ronaldo who is waiting on the edge of the area. However, the veteran drags his low shot wide of Sommer's right-hand post.
This is such a good game. Switzerland go back up the other end, and Shaqiri's inswinging cross is perfect for a glancing header from Seferovic. The forward makes no contact, but the ball goes just inches wide of the far post.
CHANCE!  Portugal are back peppering the Switzerland goal. The hosts win three corners in succession, and the final one sees Pepe power a header over the crossbar.
CHANCE!  Yet another opening, this time for Switzerland. Mbabu's cross finds Seferovic by the penalty spot, but the forward's header is weak and straight at Patricio.
We have gone a couple of minutes without any penalty-area action. It's been the first break for a while. Switzerland currently find themselves in possession and are probing.
Portugal are back on the ball. There is a desire to get Felix more into the action, but the debutant is being nullified by the Switzerland backline.
Ronaldo turns on the edge of the box and looks ready to shoot from 20 yards. However, the referee decides that Mbabu has fouled the forward, despite making connection with the ball. It looks harsh.
GOAL!  PORTUGAL 1-0 SWITZERLAND (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
GOAL!  Portugal take full advantage by going in front. It looks like Sommer has tried to second-guess Ronaldo, but the 34-year-old has managed to ping the ball into the far bottom corner.
Switzerland must not get too discouraged - they are been more than a match for their opponents. However, they must also be wary of conceding a second before the break. There have been moments where they have been caught at the back.
Switzerland have gone on the offensive since going behind, and they win a free kick after Freuler is tripped by Neves. Chance here...
Shaqiri pulls rank on the set piece, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Another follows the first, but Portugal defend each of them effectively.
Portugal finally manage to put together another attack, but Switzerland have plenty of bodies back in a defensive position.
We are having another lull as far as goalmouth action is concerned, but that's not to say that this game has slowed down. Ronaldo has moved out to the left flank in order to free up some space for himself.
Ronaldo has now popped up on the other flank, and he should do much better when being found by Neves. The Juventus man had the chance to run at Rodriguez, but was unable to get the ball under control.
Bernardo gets down the left and is able to cut inside from the byline. There are two men over, but the Manchester City man's dinked cross is cleared by the Swiss defence.
OFF THE BAR!  Switzerland hit the woodwork! Mbabu's low cutback from near the byline picks out Seferovic, but the Benfica forward can only strike the top of the crossbar with his first-time shot from 12 yards out.
Most of Switzerland's threat has come down the right. Mbabu - formerly of Newcastle United - has played like a right winger at times. Portugal may be pleased to hear the half-time whistle.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME:  Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
The half-time whistle goes in Porto and Portugal head into the break with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Ronaldo's free kick. Switzerland have had their moments, however, with Seferovic hitting the woodwork. It has been a very lively game, and it would be a surprise if we don't see any more goals.
The second semi-final between the Netherlands and England takes place tomorrow evening. Both nations have enjoyed a strong spell of form over the course of this season. Click here to read our preview.
A quick reminder of the two benches...

PORTUGAL SUBSTITUTES: Cancelo, Fonte, Moutinho, Sousa, Jota, Sa, Silva, Guedes, Rui, Pizzi, Beto

SWITZERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Moubandje, Elvedi, Lang, Okafor, Steffen, Mvogo, Benito, Ajeti, Sow, Drmic, Fernandes, Omlin

KICKOFF:  Switzerland get us back underway.
Switzerland have wasted little time in trying to find an equaliser. They have already had a couple of attacks, as well as one corner which was well defended by the Portugal defence.
Portugal are still pushing forward themselves, but they are being forced to focus more attention on keeping Switzerland out. This game is shaping up nicely.
Switzerland have placed players on each of Portugal's centre-backs in a bid to occupy them. It is keeping Pepe and Dias on the back foot.
It is all happening in Porto. Switzerland think that they should have a penalty at one end, but it is not given. Portugal go down the other end, and a penalty is awarded to Portugal when Bernardo is taken down by Schar. VAR is getting involved.
PENALTY!  It is a penalty to Switzerland! After a long delay, it is deemed that Semedo has tripped Zubar. There is no doubting it is unintentional, but you can see why it has been given.
GOAL!  PORTUGAL 1-1 SWITZERLAND (RICARDO RODRIGUEZ)

GOAL!  Rodriguez does not make the greatest of contacts with his spot kick, but Patricio can only divert his effort into the bottom corner. Game on!
Portugal were bitterly disappointed with the decision, equally because it was "one of those" and because there was no doubt that Schar had tripped Bernardo. They are responding positively, however.
Pepe has come off worse in a challenge in his own penalty area. It looks like an elbow injury. Fonte is being readied...
SUBSTITUTION! The change is made with the former Southampton defender coming on to take Pepe's place in the centre of defence.
CHANCE!  Switzerland are the better team now. Shaqiri has come to life in the final third, with the Liverpool wideman picking out Seferovic on this occasion. However, the forward can only head wide of the back post from close range.
YELLOW CARD!  Xhaka is the first player to go into the book for cynically tugging back Bernardo on the halfway line.
SHOT!  Fernandes has been quiet this evening, but the in-demand Sporting Lisbon man is given the chance to shoot from distance here. However, the midfielder can only drag a weak strike well wide of the post.
YELLOW CARD!  Schar follows Xhaka into the book with a late challenge on Felix.
SUBSTITUTION! Portugal make their second change as Guedes comes on for Felix.
SUBSTITUTION! Switzerland make their first alteration, with Fernandes being introduced for Zakaria.
Portugal are back in the ascendancy, but Neves fires tamely wide from distance and Guedes cannot collect a pass on the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Ronaldo has been quiet since the restart, and the forward does nothing with the ball when given the chance to run down the left. He would be best off remaining in the middle.
Extra time looks the best bet right now. The pace of the game is still fairly high, but it is nothing like it was. Switzerland have started to sit deep.
Switzerland are back on the ball now, and showing ambition to break down Portugal. It is probably going to take something special at this stage.
It has been a while since we had anything like half a chance. All of Portugal's attacks are coming down the left, while Switzerland are relying heavily on Shaqiri.
SUBSTITUTION! A second Switzerland change sees Zuber replaced by Steffen.
YELLOW CARD!  The bookings are beginning to tot up for Switzerland. Shaqiri is cautioned for a trip on Guedes.
Switzerland have seemingly found a second wind. Mbabu's gets into a crossing position and his delivery finds Steffen, but Semedo is able to prevent the substitute from converting from close range.
GOAL!  PORTUGAL 2-1 SWITZERLAND (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
GOAL!  Portugal regain the lead! A long raking pass finds Bernardo, who controls the ball before pulling the ball back for Ronaldo. The forward only has one thought in his mind, and he proceeds to finds the bottom corner from 14 yards with a first-time strike.
GOAL!  PORTUGAL 3-1 SWITZERLAND (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
GOAL!  Game over. Ronaldo has barely featured in this second half, but he now has a hat-trick, firing another low shot into the far bottom corner from 14 yards after cutting inside onto his right foot.
There will be five minutes of added-on time. Switzerland have just had a corner, but nothing came from it.
Switzerland remain in possession, but this contest is now as good as over.
FULL TIME:  Portugal 3-1 Switzerland
The full-time whistle goes in Porto and Portugal have registered a thrilling 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Ronaldo was once again the star of the show, despite offering very little for much of the game. Portugal now progress through to a final with either the Netherlands or England.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening, and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.

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