Match Report: Spain Vs Portugal - Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Salvages a point against Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo started his World Cup Campaign in blistering fashion by producing his best performance ever at an international tournament. His curling 88^thminute free-kick earned his Portugal side a point in an entertaining encounter against Spain. 

The build-up of this game was plagued by the departure of Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui after he was sacked on Wednesday. However, when the final whistle blew in Sochi it was Real Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer that stole the headlines.  

The game started off quickly with Spanish defender Nacho tripped Ronaldo in the box in only the second minute to concede a penalty which Ronaldo converted with ease. However, this was then canceled out by former Chelsea striker Diego Costa who used his body well to get a low drilled shot into the corner of the Portuguese goal. 

Just before the end of the 1^sthalf a rare David De Gea mistake which saw him fumble a long-range shot from Ronaldo which trickled its way into the back of the net. 

The Spaniards looked determined to show the world that the managerial crisis has not affected them as they hit the second half running through pegging back the Portuguese defense. They got their reward in the 55^thminute when Diego Costa got on the end of a knock-down from Sergio Busquets and then Nacho redeemed himself from hitting a stunning Volley at the edge of the box which hit both posts before finding its way in the net. 

The Spaniards looked as if they had stolen all 3-points from Portugal as the rest of the second half saw very little chances at both ends. However, like in most situations on the big stage, Ronaldo would get the last word. He emerged from what seemed as a poor second half by his standards to whip home a free-kick that would see the game finish as a draw and Ronaldo go home with the match ball. 

The Portuguese captain doubled his total World Cup tally to 6, having only scored 3 goals in his previous 3 World Cups and becomes the tournaments oldest player to score a hat-trick with him being 33 years old. 

With both sides now having to play Morroco and Iran, it should be interesting to see who will end up with the highest goal difference in which will be the deciding factor on who will top group B. 

 It was a great match that catalyzed the World Cup fever around the world as the 4 games prior to this one were averagely entertaining.