Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat-trick to earn Portugal draw against Spain in FIFA World Cup 2018
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick as Portugal snatched a 3-3 draw with Spain in a World Cup classic in Russia's Sochi Friday.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick as Portugal snatched a 3-3 draw with Spain in a World Cup classic in Russia's Sochi Friday. (Photo | AP)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his side's opening goal during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi. (Photo | AP)
Earlier, Ronaldo had twice put the European champions in front only for Diego Costa to bring Spain level on each occasion on a steamy night on Russia's Black Sea coast. (Photo | AP)
The evening had started in style for Ronaldo, as he scored a fourth-minute penalty after going down in the box under a foul from Nacho, playing at right-back with Dani Carvajal not fit. (Photo | AP)
Spain responded well and had the better of the game, as they drew level for the first time in the 24th minute via a trademark piece of centre-forward play by Diego Costa. (Photo | AP)
With Andres Iniesta, Isco and David Silva pulling the strings, Spain were on top, but Portugal went back in front just as half-time approached, thanks to their talismanic captain. (Photo | AP)
It looked like Ronaldo's first-half efforts might be in vain, as Spain regrouped at the interval and drew level 10 minutes into the second half with a textbook set-piece counter. (Photo | AP)
Three minutes after that, Nacho's glorious effort from 22 yards made it 3-2, his half-volley curling into the net off the left-hand post. (Photo | AP)
In one night the Real Madrid superstar doubled his World Cup finals goal tally, and made history by scoring at an eighth consecutive major tournament going back to Euro 2004, when he was still a teenager. (Photo | AP)
It was a remarkable signal of intent from the current Ballon d'Or winner, who had never made a serious impact in any of his previous three World Cups, only managing to score one goal in each. (Photo | AP)
