World Cup wonder goals: Leao seals Swiss smashing in style
We count down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showing a wonder goal each day. Here you can watch Rafael Leao’s gem for Portugal against Switzerland at Qatar 2022.
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Portugal v Switzerland Qatar 2022 | Last 16 Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen
Some would have gone easy on the Swiss. Not Rafael Leao. When he went on for Bruno Fernandes, in the 87th minute, Portugal were 5-1 up. And when, a few minutes later, he received the ball on left, just inside the opposition half, there appeared zero danger. Leao, however, exchanged passes with Raphael Guerreiro, cannily cut inside Granit Xhaka, and curled the ball past Yann Sommer from just inside the box. It left Portugal having registered the joint-fifth-biggest knockout-phase victory in World Cup history, behind Hungary 6-0 Dutch East Indies in 1938, Germany 7-1 Brazil in 2014, Italy 7-1 USA in 1934, and Sweden 8-0 Cuba in 1938. It left their electric winger having averaged a goal every 31 minutes over four substitute appearances in Qatar.