Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helps Portugal draw with Spain in World Cup classic

Spain have ended a tough week by drawing 3-3 with Portugal in their opening match of the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead twice but Diego Costa responded both times.

Spain took the lead through an unlikely source when Real Madrid full-back Nacho scored a superb half-volley but Ronaldo scored a superb free-kick with four minutes remaining to rescue a point for Portugal.

In the lead-up to the match, all attention had been on Spain after sacking manager Julen Lopategui on Tuesday, but it took just four minutes for Ronaldo to make sure that he was in the limelight once again when he converted from the spot after being fouled by Nacho.

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Spain recovered well, though, and dominated possession for the rest of the first half. David Silva fired over from the edge of the box and Andres Iniesta caused all sorts of problems for the Portugal defence.

Portugal were still dangerous on the break and Bruno Fernandes should have done better when he was found by a Ronaldo pass, but the Sporting Lisbon midfielder was crowded out by the Spanish defence.

Costa equalised in style in the 23rd minute. He glided through the Portugal defence and sent Pepe to the ground in the process. The central defender tried to feign injury to win a free-kick but referee Gianluca Rocchi waved play on and Costa thumped the ball low into the left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

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Isco came within inches of giving Spain the lead just four minutes later when his thunderbolt rattled off the crossbar and bounced downwards. Replays showed that the ball bounced on the line though, no goal.

Iniesta was next up for Spain when he received Isco’s pass but his shot went narrowly past the far post after beating Rui Patricio.

Ronaldo made sure that Portugal would head into the break a goal up, though, and it was a moment that goalkeeper David de Gea will want to forget. Ronaldo’s strike came in from the edge of the box but it was straight at De Gea. Somehow, similar to Loris Karius in the Champions League final, the ball slipped through his hands and nestled into the back of the net.

De Gea will have been massively relieved then when Costa equalised nine minutes after the restart. David Silva sent a free-kick towards the back post and Sergio Busquets knocked the ball down for Costa to finish from close range.

It took just four minutes for Spain to take the lead for the first time of the night and, once again, it was an absolute cracker. Nacho atoned for giving away the earlier penalty by thumping the ball on the half-volley into the net off the post.

Substitute Ricardo Quaresma tried to inject some pace towards the end, with both sides slowing down, but his shot dipped just over the bar.

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One last chance came for Ronaldo in the 86th minute when he was fouled by Gerard Pique and he completed his hat-trick in superb fashion, floating the ball over the wall into the top right corner.

Spain’s campaign continues when they meet Iran on Wednesday, with Portugal coming up against Morocco.

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva (Quaresma 69′), Moutinho, Carvalho, Fernandes (Mario 68′); Guedes (Andre Silva 80′), Ronaldo

Spain: De Gea; Nacho, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Koke; David Silva (Lucas 86′), Isco, Iniesta (Thiago 70′); Costa (Aspas 77′)

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2014 by Mariya Butd used under license by CC BY 2.0.

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