SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo lit up the World Cup in his own inimitable style on Friday, curling in a late free kick to complete a remarkable hat-trick and earn his team a 3-3 draw in an enthralling clash with neighbors Spain.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Portugal vs Spain - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 15, 2018 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Hannah McKay

In by far the best game of the tournament so far, Ronaldo twice put Portugal in front, Diego Costa replied each time, Nacho gave Spain the lead with a stunning volley and Ronaldo then had the last word with a superb free kick he won himself.

Ronaldo has a relatively poor free-kick record for Portugal and when he and Raphael Guerreiro both stepped up in the 88th minute, many of their fans might have hoped the left back would have been allowed to have a go instead of his skipper.

Instead, Ronaldo stood with his legs apart in familiar pose, rolled up his shorts and curled an exquisite effort around the Spain wall and into the net past the helpless David de Gea.

The 33-year-old, who took his tally to 84 goals in 151 games for the European champions, became the fourth player to score in four World Cups after Brazil great Pele and Germany’s Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose.

He also became the first player to score in eight major tournaments in succession after hitting the target in the last four European Championship tournaments.

The goal denied Spain what would have been a morale-boosting win after a traumatic and extraordinary week which saw coach Julen Lopetegui sacked on Wednesday, barely 48 hours before kick off in the Group B game.

The Spanish federation said Lopetegui had negotiated a contract to take over at Real Madrid without their knowledge, and replaced him with Fernando Hierro who took charge on Friday.

Nacho’s first goal for Spain and a blunder by their usually reliable keeper David De Gea were almost lost in the drama.

The other match in the section was pedestrian by comparison yet it was Iran who went top of the standings with three points after their 1-0 stoppage-time win over Morocco.

“I’m very happy, it is a personal best (the hat-trick), one more in my career and the most important thing is to highlight what the team has done,” said Ronaldo.

EXPLOSIVE START

The match got off to an explosive start when Ronaldo beat Nacho on the left of the box with a stepover, was tripped and emphatically converted the penalty himself.

Spain quickly got into their stride and Costa equalized in the 24th minute as he latched onto a long ball forward by Sergio Busquets, bundled off a challenge from Pepe, slipped around two defenders and slotted his shot past Rui Patricio.

The goal was confirmed after the incident was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), being used at the World Cup for the first time, for a possible foul on Pepe.

Spain appeared to be on top as Isco rifled a shot against the bar, only for Ronaldo to strike again one minute before halftime with the help of De Gea’s blunder as the ball hit his hand and slipped agonizingly into the net.

Costa leveled from close range 10 minutes after the break, Spain went ahead for the first time with a remarkable strike from Nacho, who met the ball on the volley at an awkward height and sent an inswinging shot in off the post.

Spain thought they had won the game but Portugal had other ideas as Ronaldo provided the perfect end to another extraordinary night in his career.

Slideshow (9 Images)

Hierro was clearly happy after his first match in charge as his team showed they should by no means be written off.

“We feel very proud of the players after the adversity of the match itself,” he said. “We’ve come back and equalized twice, we feel great commitment and pride.”</s>SOCHI, Russia — Cristiano Ronaldo used the World Cup to show everyone he’s the GOAT.

Ronaldo rubbed his chin after scoring minutes into Portugal’s opener against Spain, implying he is the Greatest of All Time. Then he scored two more goals, including a perfectly placed 88th-minute free kick that gave his team a 3-3 draw Friday.

Spain, the 2010 World Cup champion, dominated much of the match but was unable to contain Ronaldo.

“When I play against a player like Ronaldo, these things can happen,” newly appointed Spain coach Fernando Hierro said. “It’s very fortunate for whatever team has Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo had twice given European champion Portugal the lead with first-half goals at Fisht Stadium, but Diego Costa equalized with a goal in each half. Nacho Fernandez then put the Spanish ahead with a one-timer from outside the area in the Group B match.

Ronaldo became the fourth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler. He also became the first Portuguese player to appear in four World Cups, and at 33 became the oldest player to score a hat trick in tournament history.

He used his first goal to send a message to the world in an apparent reaction to Adidas’ “GOAT” promotion with Lionel Messi, featuring the Argentine with a real goat. Ronaldo and Messi have split the last 10 player of the year awards.

“I’ve said it so many times, Cristiano is the best in the world,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said.

“To me, the most important (thing) is to highlight what the team has done,” Ronaldo said.

Spain looked to have successfully overcome its dramatic coaching change one the eve of the tournament but Ronaldo curled a late shot from about 25 meters (yards) over the wall. The ball went into the top corner as Spain goalkeeper David de Gea watched.

The Spanish federation fired coach Julen Lopetegui for accepting a job with Real Madrid without letting it know in advance. Hierro, a former player acting as Spain’s sporting director, replaced Lopetegui and was on the bench despite no significant previous coaching experience.

“It wasn’t an easy situation. When you have this staff and these young players, they make it much easier,” Hierro said.

It was an exciting start to one of the group-stage’s most anticipated matches and it didn’t take long before Ronaldo struck first.

Ronaldo made a nice stepover move to get past Fernandez, his Real Madrid teammate, and was fouled at the edge of the area. He then calmly sent his shot to the right corner as De Gea went the other way.

As Ronaldo returned to midfield for the restart, he and Fernandez appeared to exchange words, and the Portuguese star smiled.

Portugal threatened on counterattacks as Spain struggled to get near Rui Patricio’s goal, but a great long pass by Sergio Busquets allowed Costa to even the match. The striker collided with Pepe and used several neat moves to clear other defenders before firing a low shot into the corner from inside the area.

Portugal loudly complained Costa had fouled Pepe, and replays showed there was contact by the Spaniard’s arm with Pepe’s body. Referee Gianluca Rocchi allowed the play to continue.

Portugal wanted the play to be reviewed, and Rocchi at one point put a hand to his ear, apparently indicating the assistant referees didn’t see a clear error.

Goal-line technology came into play a few moments later when a Francisco “Isco” Alarcon’s shot struck the crossbar and dropped straight down on the goal line. After Isco complained, Rocchi pointed to his watch, which receives goal confirmations.

Ronaldo’s second goal came after a blunder by De Gea, who let the ball bounce off his hands and into the net after a routine shot from outside the area just before halftime.

Busquets and Costa combined for Spain’s equalizer in the 55th. After a cross by Andres Iniesta, Busquets headed the ball back across the area and Costa touched it into the open net.

Three minutes later, Fernandez redeemed himself for the penalty on Ronaldo with a streaking shot after a ball cleared by the defense got deflected toward him. The ball struck the post before going into the goal.

The teams arrived in Russia as favorites to share first and second in the group, but the draw leaves them two points behind Iran, which defeated Morocco 1-0 earlier Friday.

Spain, trying to rebound from disappointing eliminations at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship, will next face Iran, while Portugal plays Morocco.

Portugal: The team has been able to succeed recently because of its steady defense, but this time it was not able to hold on to its early leads despite twice getting ahead with goals by Ronaldo. It was the star striker who saved the team from defeat with his late equalizer.

Spain: The Spanish looked lost after conceding the early goal to Ronaldo, but Costa’s strike helped Hierro’s team settle down and even the match.

Spain struggled to contain Portugal’s counterattacks, but it showed it remained a solid team despite Lopetegui’s absence.</s>Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Portugal will progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup after his hat-trick stunned Spain in an astonishing 3-3 draw in Sochi.

Ronaldo – at 33 years and 130 days – became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, twice putting Portugal ahead before his 88th-minute free-kick secured a precious point.

It was the 51st treble of Ronaldo’s goal-filled career as he became the fourth player to score in four different World Cup and the first to do so at eight consecutive international tournaments.

“We have to look to the next match now because our goal is to win,” Ronaldo said.

“We have to take it match by match and move on through the group stage.

“We are not the favourites but we will do our best and try to beat Morocco on Wednesday.

“I think the team played very well and is going to do well for sure.”

Ronaldo’s records might stack up like his goals, but he was determined to focus on the team ethos of the reigning European champions.

Spain dominated for large periods – Diego Costa twice equalised and Nacho putting them ahead with a superb strike – but Portugal rallied in the final moments for Ronaldo to level.

“I am very happy, and I always believe in myself,” the Real Madrid forward added in quotes reported on fpf.pt.

“It is one more (hat-trick) in my career but the most important thing to me is to highlight what the teams has done.

“We played against a favourite team that wants to win the World Cup and we were winning twice during the game.

“We almost made those three points and we managed to draw. We are very happy because this game was about to end and we managed to equalise.

“We have to evaluate what the team did because it was a very hard-fought game.”

Portugal and Spain are both currently playing catch-up in Group B as Iran shocked Morocco 1-0 earlier in the day to top the section.

Ronaldo’s second goal on the stroke of half-time was down to a dreadful error from David de Gea, considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world.

The Manchester United star allowed Ronaldo’s straightforward shot to slip through his grasp and into the net.

But stand-in Spain coach Fernando Hierro – who replaced the sacked Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday – gave a massive vote of confidence to De Gea after the game.

“We don’t have any doubts about De Gea and he doesn’t have any doubts about himself either,” Hierro said.

“I gave him a long embrace, we know that being a goalkeeper requires special psychology and is a difficult position to play in.

“He has had lots of good days. We are a family, we are a team, and we stick together.”

On being thrown into the deep end when Lopetegui was sacked for accepting the Real Madrid job just weeks after signing a new contract as Spain manager until 2020, Hierro said: “There was a plan for us in the opening match and we have stuck to that.

“But we have adapted very well because this situation was not easy.

“But when you have the staff and these excellent young professionals it makes your life a lot easier.

“I hope this squad will continue to show that motivation and strength as we progress.”</s>Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved why he's the best footballer on the planet with a brilliant performance against Spain in Portugal's opening match of the World Cup, netting a hat trick that including a game-tying free kick in the closing minutes. Stu Forster/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo started off his 2018 World Cup with a bang on Friday, netting a hat trick for Portugal to force a 3-3 draw against a Spain squad that's one of the favorites to take the tournament.

Ronaldo opened up the scoring early, earning a penalty kick after getting fouled in the box just three minutes into the match. Ronaldo lined up his shot from the spot, and drilled a confident blast into the back of the net to give Portugal a 1-0 lead.

After Diego Costa tied the match at 1-1, Ronaldo would once again give Portugal the advantage just before halftime, striking a shot from just outside the box. While keeper David de Gea was well positioned to make the save, he couldn't get a strong enough hand on the ball, and had to watch as it continued past him into the goal.

But it was Ronaldo's final shot of the night that truly showed his brilliance.

With Portugal trailing 3-2 and the game entering its final minutes, Portugal was awarded a free kick from just outside the box. In the 88th minute, Ronaldo took in the defense, chose his shot, and put the ball where no one could get it.

It's easily the goal of the tournament so far.

With the hat trick, Ronaldo already matched his career World Cup goal total in one match, and made himself an early leader in the race for the Golden Boot. Ronaldo also got a bit of personal vengeance with the performance, having just been fined by Spain for more than $21 million on charges of tax evasion.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, it's also the first time that Ronaldo's team has failed to win in his 51 career games for club and country with a hat trick.

Portugal will likely leave the pitch rather pleased to steal the draw. The point earned leaves them tied for second in Group B, but with matches against Morocco and Iran still to be played before the knockout round, Portugal has already handled their most daunting task of the first stage of the tournament.
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• The one player you need to know from every country competing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup</s>SOCHI, Russia — Cristiano Ronaldo completed a hat trick with a perfectly taken free kick in the 88th minute to give Portugal a 3-3 draw against Spain on Friday at the World Cup.

Ronaldo had twice given Portugal the lead with first-half goals, but Diego Costa equalized for Spain with a goal in each half. Nacho Fernandez then put 2010 champions ahead with a one-timer from outside the area in the Group B match.

Spain looked to have successfully overcome its dramatic coaching change one the eve of the tournament but Ronaldo curled a late shot over the wall to force the draw.

Ronaldo’s opening goal from the penalty spot allowed him to become the fourth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler.

His second goal came after a blunder by Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, who let the ball bounce off his hands and into the net.</s>(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez). Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures to his teammates after Spain scored their 3rd goal during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 15,...

(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis). Spain's scorer Nacho, front left, and his teammates celebrate their side's 3rd goal during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 15,...

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein). Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal with a free kick during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018.

(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis). Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's 3rd goal during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein). Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal with a free kick during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo completed a hat trick with a perfectly taken free kick in the 88th minute to give Portugal a 3-3 draw against Spain on Friday at the World Cup.

Ronaldo had twice given Portugal the lead with first-half goals, but Diego Costa equalized for Spain with a goal in each half. Nacho Fernandez then put 2010 champions ahead with a one-timer from outside the area in the Group B match.

Spain looked to have successfully overcome its dramatic coaching change one the eve of the tournament but Ronaldo curled a late shot over the wall to force the draw.

Ronaldo's opening goal from the penalty spot allowed him to become the fourth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler.

His second goal came after a blunder by Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, who let the ball bounce off his hands and into the net.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Cristiano Ronaldo seems determined to make the 2018 FIFA World Cup his own.

The Portugal superstar scored a hat trick Friday in his team’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain in World Cup Group B play. Ronaldo’s goals played a leading role in making Portugal vs. Spain the 2018 World Cup’s first great game and one of the best-ever contests in world soccer’s championship tournament.

Ronaldo started scoring early, first winning and then converting this penalty kick in the fourth minute.

The game was tied 1-1 in the 44th minute when Ronaldo restored Portugal’s lead. He can thank Spain goalkeeper David de Gea for this goal.

Spain had overturned Portugal’s lead and was imagining celebrating an improbable comeback when Ronaldo stepped up and curled this unforgettable free kick around the wall, past de Gea and into the goal.

Ronaldo had scored just three World Cup goals — one in 2006, one in 2010 and one in 2014 — prior to Friday’s game, in which he equaled twelve years of output in 90 minutes.

It was just another day in the life of one of the greatest soccer players in history.</s>Cristiano Ronaldo is getting better with age - Silva lauds hat-trick hero

Cristiano Ronaldo's three-goal haul came as no surprise to Portugal team-mate Bernardo Silva after their 3-3 draw at the World Cup.

Bernardo Silva was not surprised by Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick performance against Spain as he lauded the evergreen Portugal superstar following Friday's World Cup thriller in Sochi.

Ronaldo was the star of the show in Portugal's memorable 3-3 Group B draw against neighbours Spain at Fisht Stadium, where the five-time Ballon d'Or winner salvaged a point with a stunning last-gasp free-kick.

The 33-year-old became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history, having converted a fourth-minute penalty before restoring his team's lead thanks to David de Gea's howler before the interval.

Asked about Ronaldo's exploits, Portugal team-mate and Manchester City midfielder Silva told reporters: "I think he is used to it, this kind of night. Once again he was fantastic. He helped us get this point.

"He is used to these kinds of nights with Portugal, Real Madrid and Manchester United a few years ago.

"It's been amazing over the last 10 years or so. It's special to have a player like him in our team. We have to enjoy him and give him the conditions to score more goals."

Ronaldo also ended a drought as he ensured Spain's tumultuous week – which saw Julen Lopetegui sensationally sacked two days before the showdown in Sochi having agreed a deal with Real Madrid – finished without victory.

The Portugal captain curled a set-piece past a helpless De Gea at the death to end his run of 44 free-kick attempts without a goal at major international tournaments.

"He is getting better and better [with age]," Silva – who was happy with the result – said. "Everyone was expecting him to get older and stop playing as well as he used to but he is getting better.

"I hope he can maintain this form for the next games in Russia."

Silva added: "It's not difficult to play with Cristiano. It's easy. You just give him the ball and he makes things happen. We enjoy having him on our team."

It was a pulsating clash in Krasnodar Krai, where Portugal led 2-1 at half-time via a pair of Ronaldo goals either side of Diego Costa's solo effort.

Quick-fire strikes from Costa and Nacho Fernandez rattled Portugal and put Spain ahead early in the second half but Ronaldo was always destined to have the final say on a warm night in Sochi.

"It was a fantastic game. We started really well. Especially the first half for us was really good. We didn't start good in the second," Silva said.

"But in the end Ronaldo was in form and he decided everything for us. He scored three goals. When he plays like this, anything is possible."

"We're not favourites but we can try to do something because we have a good team. But I would say Germany, Brazil, France and Spain are the favourites," the 23-year-old Silva added.</s>SOCHI, Russia — Cristiano Ronaldo completed a hat trick with a perfectly taken free kick in the 88th minute to give Portugal a 3-3 draw against Spain on Friday at the World Cup.

Ronaldo had twice given Portugal the lead with first-half goals, but Diego Costa equalized for Spain with a goal in each half. Nacho Fernandez then put the 2010 champions ahead with a one-timer from outside the area in the Group B match.

Spain looked to have successfully overcome its dramatic coaching change one the eve of the tournament but Ronaldo curled a late shot over the wall to force the draw.

Ronaldo’s opening goal from the penalty spot allowed him to become the fourth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler. Ronaldo also became the first Portuguese player to appear in four World Cups.

His second goal came after a blunder by Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, who let the ball bounce off his hands and into the net.

Spain badly needed a winning start after the federation fired coach Julen Lopetegui two days before its tournament debut for accepting a job with Real Madrid without letting it know in advance. Sporting director Fernando Hierro, a former player, was picked as Lopetegui’s replacement and was on the bench despite no significant previous coaching experience.

It was an exciting start to one of the group-stage’s most anticipated matches and it didn’t take long before Ronaldo and Portugal struck first.

Ronaldo made a nice stepover move to get past Fernandez, his Real Madrid teammate, and was fouled at the edge of the area. He then calmly sent his shot to the right corner as De Gea went the other way.

During the celebration, Ronaldo rubbed his chin in an apparent reaction to Adidas’ “GOAT” promotion with Lionel Messi. GOAT is the acronym for “greatest of all time” and Adidas is running an advertisement featuring Messi with a real goat.

As Ronaldo returned to midfield for the restart, he and Fernandez appeared to exchange words and the Portuguese star smiled.

Portugal threatened on counterattacks as Spain struggled to get near Rui Patricio’s goal, but a great long pass by Sergio Busquets allowed Costa to even the match. The striker beat defender Pepe to the ball and used several neat moves to clear defenders before firing a low shot into the corner from inside the area.

Portugal loudly complained for a foul by Costa on Pepe, and replays showed there was contact by the Spaniard’s arm with Pepe’s body, but referee Gianluca Rocchi allowed the play to continue. Portugal wanted the play to be reviewed, and Rocchi at one point put his hand to his ear, apparently indicating that the assistant referees didn’t see a clear error.

Goal-line technology came into play a few moments later when a Francisco “Isco” Alarcon’s shot struck the crossbar and dropped straight down on top of the goal line. After Isco complained, Rocchi pointed to his watch, which is where he gets goal-line technology confirmations.

Busquets and Costa teamed up again for Spain’s equalizer in the 55th. After a cross by Andres Iniesta, Busquets headed the ball back across the area and Costa touched it into the open net.

Three minutes later, Fernandez redeemed himself for the penalty on Ronaldo with a streaking shot after a ball cleared by the defense got deflected toward him. The ball struck the post before going into the goal.

The teams arrived in Russia as favorites to share first and second in the group, but the draw leaves them two points behind Iran, which defeated Morocco 1-0 earlier Friday.

Spain, trying to rebound from disappointing eliminations at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship, will next face Iran, while Portugal plays Morocco.

Portugal: The team has been able to succeed recently because of its steady defense, but this time it was not able to hold on to its early leads despite twice getting ahead with goals by Ronaldo. It was the star striker who saved the team from defeat with his late equalizer.

Spain: The Spanish looked lost after conceding the early goal to Ronaldo, but Costa’s strike helped Hierro’s team settle down and even the match.

Spain struggled to contain Portugal’s counterattacks, but it showed it remained a solid team despite Lopetegui’s absence.</s>Sochi (Russia): Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his delight at setting another record in his remarkable career as his hat-trick against Spain on Friday allowed him to become just the fourth player to score in four World Cups.

“I am very happy, it’s a nice personal record to have, one more in my career,” said the Portugal captain, whose goals secured a 3-3 draw for the European champions in a remarkable World Cup Group B clash with neighbours Spain in Sochi. Ronaldo had twice put Portugal in front, and yet he was required to score a superb 88th-minute free-kick to grab a point after Spain had fought back brilliantly.

The 33-year-old joins an elite cast of players who have scored in four World Cups, following in the footsteps of Pele and German duo Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose. But he added: “For me the most important thing is to emphasise what the team did against one of the favourites to win this World Cup. “It was a fair result, we are very happy because the game was about to finish and then we managed to grab a draw.” Ronaldo had only scored three goals in total in his last three World Cups, so managed to double his tally in one night here.

He has also now scored in eight consecutive major tournaments, going back to Euro 2004, when as a teenager he helped Portugal all the way to the final as hosts. Yesterday’s hat-trick came just hours after legal sources in Spain said Ronaldo had agreed to pay the Spanish taxman 18.8 million euros to settle a tax fraud claim. The agreement, which is still to be ratified, will likely come with a two-year jail term — although sentences of up to two years are not generally served in Spain.

But Ronaldo was clearly not distracted by that. His focus is fully on the World Cup, with Portugal’s next match against Morocco in Moscow next Wednesday. “The World Cup has only just begun. Portugal are hoping to get through the first round, and we know how hard the group stage is,” he said. “We are not the favourites but we are contenders and we will do as well as we can.”
Cristiano Ronaldo scores a hat-trick achieving Portugal's 3–3 draw against Spain.