Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 51st career hat-trick as Portugal played to a 3-3 draw against Spain in a 2018 World Cup Group B clash at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on Friday evening.
Spain led with three minutes left after Nacho Fernandez hit a wonderful 25-yard drive,but Ronaldo was determined to steal the headlines for himself.
And he ended the day with a World Cup match-ball after hitting an outrageous late free-kick to ensure that the spoils were shared in this blockbuster clash in Sochi.
Captain Ronaldo had given Portugal a fourth-minute lead from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Madrid team-mate Nacho, restoring the lead thanks to David de Gea’s horrible mistake.
Diego Costa replied twice to get the 2010 champions level,with Nacho’s beautiful goal having seemingly settled a high-class encounter at the Fisht Stadium.
Ronaldo, though, had other ideas and stepped up to beat De Gea again with a perfect 20-yard free-kick.
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Here’s a look at that penalty decision… ?
? Thoughts?#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/L7ghxl8vLU
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018
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De Gea tries to intimidate Ronaldo… the rest is history pic.twitter.com/Yov3WNEzmx
— Belly Up Betting (@BellyUpBetting) June 15, 2018
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Diego Costa. Simply amazing. Would do anything for him to come back. pic.twitter.com/KWDLd7kicU
— ᴱᴰᴱᴺ (@DareToEden) June 15, 2018
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DE GEA WITH A HUGE ERROR AND #POR LEAD 2-1!#WorldCuppic.twitter.com/UBv016pimR
— TheSportMatrix (@TheSportMatrix) June 15, 2018
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GOAL! Diego Costa equalises for Spain again! #ESP #POR #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ePJc5QQZjW
— FIFA World Cup (@WorIdCupUpdates) June 15, 2018
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Nacho Fernandez … ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/avwjuFjYL5
— Через пруд (@ATPradio) June 15, 2018
YOU KNEW HE WAS GOING TO
A hat trick for Cristiano Ronaldo against #Spain
UNREAL pic.twitter.com/w6HV0lQoJH
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyTV) June 15, 2018
Photo: Backpagepix Images