FIFA World Cup 2018: Ronaldo’s hattrick secures a point in a thrilling clash
Jun 16, 2018 at 8:46 AM
The high voltage match of Group B between Portugal and Spain provided a result what everyone expected. The both sides shared a point each after a goal fest at Olimpiyskiy.
Diego Costa scored a brace followed by a stunner by Nacho. But Cristiano Ronaldo’s hattrck secured a valuable point for Portugal in the end.
The first half ended with a galore of goals and the first goal came just at the 4th minute of the game. Nacho brought down Cristiano Ronaldo on the charge and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. Ronaldo kept his composure against De Gea and kept him in the wrong way with a fine finish.
After conceding, Spain kept creating chances and they didn’t took too much time to equalize. Deigo Costa equalized for Spain with a firing shot. The forward did it all by himself as he fend off a challenge from Pepe before seeing off Fonte with ease. With his right foot he drilled an effort into the bottom corner to notch the equaliser.
Just after couple of minutes, Isco launched a volley from the edge of the box. But it was off the bar. The midfielder pleaded for VAR, but the technology would have provided the immediate answer. Replay showed the ball did not cross the line.
When the half time was around the corner, an awful error from De Gea saw Spain trailing by 2-1 at the break. Ronaldo’s strike squirmed through the legs of De Gea into the net. It was a shot out of nothing from the edge of the box. His effort was a low and hit with power but somehow it was enough to get the lead.
Ten minutes after the first half, Costa equalized once again from a close range after Silva’s free-kick. Just after two minutes later, who was Spain’s villain in the beginning turned out to be the hero. Nacho scored after hitting a stunning volley and made it 3-2.
When Spain were almost on their way to take all the three points away, Ronaldo’s stunning free kick stunned the men in red at 88th minute. The first hattrick of the 2018 FIFA World Cup belongs to Ronaldo and it’s Portugal who would be more happy with the one point.
FT: Portugal 3-3 Spain
Ronaldo 4′, 44′, 88′ | Costa 24′, 55′ | Nacho 58′