Ronaldo hat-trick lifts Portugal to Nations League final

Portugal will compete in the inaugural Nations League final after Cristiano Ronaldo completed a hat-trick with two late goals, helping the defending European champions defeat Switzerland 3-1 in Porto on Wednesday.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute when his long-distance free-kick froze Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer as it swerved into the back of the net.

The second half began with a controversial VAR decision to award Switzerland a penalty, as the match official concluded that Nelson Semedo had fouled midfielder Steven Zuber in the area. The determination was made after Portugal appeared to win a stonewall penalty decision on the other end, which was eventually canceled out.

Ricardo Rodriguez converted the penalty to bring the Swiss level in the 57th minute.

With the prospect of extra time on the horizon, Ronaldo ensured that the majority of fans at the Estadio do Dragao went home happy when he finished off a nice passing sequence to give Portugal a 2-1 lead with two minutes remaining.

The 34-year-old completed his seventh career hat-trick for Portugal moments later with a sensational curling strike, securing the team's place in yet another international final less than three years after winning the European Championship.

Ronaldo has now scored 88 international goals.

Portugal will play the winner of Thursday's semifinal between England and the Netherlands on June 9 at the Estadio do Dragao.