07:07 PM
6 minutes
Switzerland have an early corner after good work from Embolo. Taken short and then crossed in towards Schar in the box, before Otavia wins Portugal a foul on the edge of the box. Switzerland are looking to press with two forwards and an attacking midfielder behind them in a triangle, which is pretty aggressive.
07:04 PM
4 minutes
Now Embolo is down after a challenge with Dias near the touchline, claiming he was caught in the chops by the right arm of the defender. There was some contact, but it was no bent elbow from the Man City man. The Switzerland striker is back on his feet and able to continue.
07:03 PM
2 minutes
An early loose pass from Embolo has he dropped back into midfield. Portugal ping the ball out to Guerreiro, it was a fabulous diagonal pass from Pepe, but Fernandes could not gather Felix's pass into the penalty area.
07:00 PM
KICK OFF!
Portugal get us under way.
06:59 PM
Photographers crowding the Portugal bench
Manager Fernando Santos has had to wave them away.
06:55 PM
The players are on their way out
Time for the anthems, as Ronaldo takes his place on the bench. Switzerland flew out of the traps against Serbia, will they look to do the same and take advantage of any uncertainty in the Portugal ranks?
06:53 PM
The Shaq attack
Xherdan Shaqiri appears in his 112th game for Switzerland tonight equaling the tallying of Alain Geiger. Only Heinz Herrmann played more games for Switzerland (118 appearances)
06:44 PM
The warm-ups are in full-swing
06:37 PM
Telegraph columnist Jamie Carragher reacts
06:33 PM
Ronaldo sits out for the first time in 14 years
06:27 PM
Predict the score
How do you think today's game will finish?
06:22 PM
ITV pundits share their thoughts on Ronaldo
Gary Neville
Ian Wright
06:16 PM
Lineker stunned
06:14 PM
'Humiliation' for Ronaldo
The international reaction to Ronaldo's demotion to the bench has been swift and brutal. German outlet Bild has called it "a humiliation" while, even as they reel from Spain's last-16 defeat to Morocco, Marca's assessment is similarly unflinching: "Fernando Santos' punishment of Cristiano Ronaldo is already a reality."
06:06 PM
'Big call by Fernando Santos'
06:01 PM
Destined for the bench
05:59 PM
Team news
05:56 PM
Ronaldo dropped as Portugal begin their knockout campaign
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of Portugal versus Switzerland, with kick off at the Lusail Stadium at 7pm.
Cristiano Ronaldo will start on the bench in Portugal's first knockout match of the tournament, following coach Fernando Santos' criticism of the national talisman's behaviour against South Korea.
Ronaldo was substituted in Portugal's final group stage match, and was seen talking and gesturing as he made his way to the bench. Whilst Santos had initially thought Ronaldo's reaction was directed at a South Korean opponent, review of the footage marked Ronaldo's exit out as one of frustration in light of Santos' decision.
In his pre-match press conference, Santos brought up the incident, saying: "I didn't like. Not at all. I really didn't like it."
Ronaldo occupies a towering position in Portuguese football, and for many, might be seen as undroppable, particularly in these critical stages of the tournament.
But Santos' decision ahead of today's match suggests a shattering of this impression, in a show of strength which echoed Ronaldo's former club manager, Erik ten Hag's decision to drop Ronaldo from the matchday squad following his player's refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham in October.
Ronaldo formally parted ways with Manchester United at the end of last month following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where the Portugal player openly disparaged both the club and the manager.
The interview aired ahead of Portugal's first match in the tournament, and threatened to cast a pall over Portugal's preparations; instead, trouble of a difference shade has kept Ronaldo from starting for his country as he bids to challenge for one of the few trophies that has eluded him.
We will be bringing you the rest of the team news, build-up, and live reaction to Ronaldo's dropping ahead of kick-off, so make sure to stay tuned.
