Last weekend, he stepped off the bench to break the deadlock in a 2-0 victory over Andorra. Portugal manager Fernando Santos held back his captain as a yellow card would have ruled him out of this fixture. It was his 15th goal of the qualifying campaign and only Poland’s Robert Lewandowski scored more in Europe.
Ronaldo, who will be 33 next summer, tasted success with his national team by winning Euro 2016 but it has so far been a story of disappointment at World Cups.
Portugal exited at the group stage in 2014, fell to Spain in the round of 16 in 2010, and lost to France in the semi-finals in 2006.
Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka compared this match to a World Cup final and the visitors did start with purpose. Switzerland resisted all Portugal’s early pressure and then had a strong penalty claim turned down when Benfica full back Eliseu clipped striker Haris Seferovic in the first half.
Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva had the clearest early sight of goal as his rasping strike produced the best from Yann Sommer in the Switzerland goal.
Portugal took the lead in the 41st minute when Eliseu whipped in a cross from the left flank and as goalkeeper Sommer came out to intervene, he collided with his own defender Johan Djourou and the ball rebounded into his own goal. Former Arsenal player Djourou was credited.
Portugal doubled their lead in the 57th minute, after a glorious interchange of passes featuring Joao Moutinho and Bernardo Silva before AC Milan striker Andre Silva applied the finish.
Switzerland will now enter next week’s play-off draw as they strive to qualify for a fourth World Cup in a row.