The FIFA World Cup 2018 took off in fine fashion last night as hosts Russia handed Saudi Arabia a 5-0 thrashing in the first match of the tournament. Today, however, will see big dogs Spain take on the Euro 2016 champions, Portugal, in one of the biggest games of the group stage. Portugal vs Spain LIVE | World Cup Score | Portugal Live | Spain Live Spain will look to brush off all the hubbub surrounding their last-minute managerial change by giving it their all in what could prove to be their most important group stage game. Sergio Ramos and co. will be well aware of what this Portugal side are capable of, with talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks. The Spaniards enter the competition looking to stake a claim for their second FIFA World Cup trophy, having won the 2010 edition in South Africa. Fernando Hierro, Spain's new manager, will certainly understand the significance of this game, and will ostensibly look to field his best possible side to take on Portugal later tonight. How will Spain line up? There will be little doubt as to who Spain's custodian will be. With David de Gea in the side, Hierro will have to look no further than the Premier League Golden Glove winner. Guarding him will be the intimidating pair of Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Barcelona's Gerard Pique. Jordi Alba is the most likely pick for the left-back position, while the right-back slot, in Dani Carvajal's absence, could well be gifted to Álvaro Odriozola despite his unimpressive performance in the friendly against Tunisia. The midfield will most likely comprise of Sergio Busquets in the centre, with Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara on either side. Busquets is expected to play an out-and-out holding role, while Thiago will be tasked with maintaining as much possession of the ball as possible. Iniesta will play a more attacking role, drifting forward everytime La Furia Roja have the ball. The front line could see Diego Costa being flanked by Isco and David Silva on either wing, both of whom are more than capable of providing creative inputs. Spain XI and Formation Spain's Predicted Starting XI vs Portugal Spain have faced Portugal 35 times in the past, of which 5 were at the World Cup. Spain won 4 of those while the other encounter witnessed a 1-1 draw. Fernando Hierro's side will look to maintain their unbeaten World Cup record against the Portuguese, as the winner of tonight's game is almost certain to finish atop Group B. Follow Sportskeeda for 2018 World Cup Scores, Latest News & Updates, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more.<doc-sep>Latest update: Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick has saved the day for Portugal once again as they play out an entertaining six goal draw in Sochi against Spain to kick start their 2018 FIFA World Cup. This has been a classic World Cup contest. Catch all the action from the match between Portugal and Spain in Group B on the News18Sports Live blog. Read More Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick has saved the day for Portugal once again as they play out an entertaining six goal draw in Sochi against Spain to kick start their 2018 FIFA World Cup. This has been a classic World Cup contest.Catch all the action from the match between Portugal and Spain in Group B on the News18Sports Live blog. Jun 16, 2018 01:37 (IST) That was ridiculous. Take a bow @selecaoportugal and @SeFutbol, what a game! #PORESP pic.twitter.com/G3HdXdlK93 — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2018 Jun 16, 2018 01:23 (IST) Full time: Spain and Portugal have played a thrilling 3-3 draw in Sochi. Portugal continue to not lose when Ronaldo scores. This has been an absolute classic World Cup contest. Jun 16, 2018 01:20 (IST) Ronaldo had another chance to score as Quaresma's ball came in from the left, but the striker is unable to control the header. He is now suffering from what one would imagine is cramps. He has gone down and Ramos helps him up to his feet. Jun 16, 2018 01:19 (IST) There are 4 minutes of added time and expect both sides to go for the winner. Ricardo Quaresma cuts in from the left but his shot is well blocked inside the box. Jun 16, 2018 01:17 (IST) STAT ATTACK: Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score a hat-trick against Spain in the World Cup finals. Jun 16, 2018 01:15 (IST) GOAL: Cristiano Ronaldo has found the back of the net once again with a picture perfect free-kick! That is a hat-trick for the man as David de Gea is left stranded as the ball goes up and over the wall and dips into the goal. Jun 16, 2018 01:14 (IST) Pique and Ronaldo old rivals are at it again. The forward draws the foul just outside the box and Ronaldo is lining it up. de Gea will want things to be perfect in front of him. An equaliser will set the cat among the pigeons now. Jun 16, 2018 01:12 (IST) Portugal looking for an equaliser with Ronaldo having the likes of Quaresma and Andre Silva in terms of fresh legs coming off the bench. 5 minutes to go for the European champions but they need to get the ball first. Jun 16, 2018 01:10 (IST) Thiago and David Silva combine down the middle as Aspas is in space to let fly a shot. But it's tame and the Portgual keeper Patricio has it covered without any trouble. Jun 16, 2018 01:09 (IST) Ten minutes to go as Isco continues to move the ball around comfortably from the right. Spain likely to look to keep the ball and hold up play. Jun 16, 2018 01:07 (IST) High ball over the Spain defense looking for Ronaldo has three players on the ground with Pique, David de Gea and Ronaldo all going for the ball. No one gets enough on it and Spain recover the ball and look to rebuild. Understandably they will take their time as Pique comes back onto the field of play. Jun 16, 2018 01:04 (IST) There won't be a hat-trick for Diego Costa as he is coming off with 15 minutes to go. Iago Aspas comes on in place of him. Jun 16, 2018 01:04 (IST) Ronaldo now starting off the move from the left as he looks to make space in the penalty box after playing it in to the centre of the park, the ball goes out to Quaresma, who wins a throw and then tries to shoot, but it's well over David de Gea's goal. Jun 16, 2018 00:59 (IST) At the other end Portugal are looking to up the ante and Quaresma won them a corner but the Spanish defenders whack it clear. Jun 16, 2018 00:58 (IST) Isco once again is at the centre of things as he plays it out to Thiago who plays it back to Silva before Jordi Alba's square ball is met by Diego Costa with scuffed shot. Jun 16, 2018 00:57 (IST) Cedric sends one into the box for Ronaldo, but Pique jumps highest and clears his lines. Spain have dominated possession in the second half which has seen 20 minutes fly by, literally fly by faster than in any game so far at the World Cup. Isco and David Silva have been giving the Portugal defenders lots to do as they make the play in the midfield and seamlessly switch positions whenever they feel like. Jun 16, 2018 00:56 (IST) Portugal are now making a change as Joao Mario comes on as they look to get an equaliser after going behind for the first time tonight. Spain meanwhile are getting Thiago ready for the last twenty minutes of the game. Jun 16, 2018 00:50 (IST) 15 minutes into the second half and Portugal get their first corner of the game. Tells you a lot about how Spain have controlled the game for major chunks of the match. Expect more of the same as the Spanish midfield move Portugal around with ease. Isco and David Silva are having a brilliant game in Sochi. Jun 16, 2018 00:46 (IST) GOAL: A pile-driver of a shot by Nacho from just outside the penalty box. He hammers it home and it goes in off the post. Spain lead Portugal 3-2. Nacho's first international goal will be remembered for days to come and will be a contender for goal of the tournament. Jun 16, 2018 00:42 (IST) GOAL: Diego Costa strikes again after the free-kick routine works perfectly. Silva plays it to Sergio Busquets at the far post who knocks it down for Deigo Costa to tap it in from close range.<doc-sep>The WC 2018 saw its best game till date in what is arguably the standout fixture of the group stages as Portugal held Spain to a 3-3 draw at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi. A hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo saw the Euro 2016 champions deny La Furia Roja all three points. It was Portugal who took the lead twice through Ronaldo but Diego Costa was on hand to equalise twice either side of half-time. Nacho seemed to have given Spain the win with a superb goal from distance before a Ronaldo free-kick levelled things late in the game. Here are the major talking points from the game. #1 Cristiano Ronaldo punishes Spain again and again and again After Julen Lopetegui was sacked a day before the World Cup and Fernando Hierro took charge, many expected him to simply continue with the good work the new Real Madrid manager had done in the past two years. However, after Alvaro Odriozola's terrible performance in the warm-up game against Tunisia where he was taken off at half-time, Hierro decided to go with a safer option by starting Nacho Fernandez at right-back. It was a mistake that will haunt him and the player. Just three minutes into the tie, Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball at the edge of the box and looked to dribble inside - immediately attracting the attention of Nacho who stuck a leg out in incredulous fashion to bring down the Portuguese star. It was a clear penalty and Ronaldo put it away with ease to give Portugal a very early lead. The two players train together every week at Real Madrid and Ronaldo's grin as he looked back at Nacho whole the defender shook his head said it all. That was a costly error - and so early in the game. Nevertheless, he did make up for it with a sweet strike in the second half. 8 - Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in history to score in eight consecutive major tournaments (World Cup, European Championships, Copa America). Legend. #PORESP #POR #WorldCup — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018 As if that error wasn't enough to put Spain under pressure, David De Gea then surprised everyone watching the game when he spilled what looked like a routine save. With a minute to go for the half-time whistle, Ronaldo had a low shot on goal from the edge of the box that was hit straight at De Gea. David De Gea or Rob Green in disguise? But as the Manchester United goalkeeper knelt to collect the ball, it hit his glove and went in much to the disbelief of his teammates and Portugal too. It was uncanny from De Gea and so unlike him to make such an error on such a big stage. He has been the Premier League's best and most untouchable goalkeeper for years but Ronaldo suddenly made him seem human. But the goalkeeper could do nothing about Ronaldo's free-kick in the dying minutes of the game. It was so perfectly placed and hit with the right pace that a dive to save it would have been pointless. 51 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his 51st career hat-trick (club and country), and his treble was also the 51st hat-trick scored in World Cup history. Symmetry. #PORESP #POR #ESP #WorldCup — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2018 1 / 5 NEXT<doc-sep>First Name Last Name We will use the details you have shared to manage your registration. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your registration as described in our Privacy Policy. Would you like to receive The WeekDay email newsletter? We will use the details you have shared to manage your newsletter subscription. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your subscription as described in our Privacy Policy. 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Spain and Portugal clashing this early in the tournament was always going to be a mouth-watering clash and the two sides did not disappoint. Portugal took the lead early through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty before Diego Costa equalised. Ronaldo then put Portugal ahead again before Costa equalised in the second half. Nacho then scored a stunning volley to put Spain ahead and they seemed likely to take home all three points. However, Ronaldo scored his hat-trick after converting a wonderful free-kick. Get highlights of Portugal vs Spain, FIFA World Cup 2018 here. 1:30 AM IST: That’s it from our side, thank you so much for joining us! Do join us for more live FIFA World Cup 2018 coverage. 1:24 AM IST: Full-time: Portugal 3-3 Spain. What. A. Match. This is exactly the kind of thriller we expected from these two sides and they did not disappoint. 1:19 AM IST: 4 minutes of added time now. Can either side find a winner? 1:16 AM IST: GOAL! My God! When was the last time Ronaldo hit a free-kick that well?! He gets his hat-trick and caps what has been a thrilling game. 1:09 AM IST: Both managers are ringing in the changes now. Both desperate for goals, it would seem. 1:01 AM IST: This game is quite nerve wracking at this point. 12:56 AM IST: 20 mins to go now. Can Spain kill the game off with another goal or will Portugal level things? 12:52 AM IST: The game is continuing to ebb and flow very nicely. Another goal isn’t out of the question. 12:45 AM IST: GOAAAAL! NACHO SCORES AN ABSOLUTE BELTER FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX TO PUT SPAIN AHEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME! 12:42 AM IST: GOAAAAL! DIEGO COSTA IS AT IT AGAIN! This time he finishes from close range. 12:36 AM IST: Spain continue to dominate possession but Portugal are holding strong for now. 12:30 AM IST: Second half underway now. Can Spain find a way back into this game? 12:18 AM IST: Half-time: Portugal 2-1 Spain. Ronaldo’s brace either side of a Diego Costa goal has Portugal ahead going into the break. 12:15 AM IST: GOAAAL! Ronaldo puts Portugal ahead again! Oh De Gea, what have you done?! Routine shot from Ronaldo somehow goes under the goalkeeper’s legs. 12:12 AM IST: Costa and Pepe are now engaging in physical warfare. The latter’s a bit lucky not to go into the book this time. 12:07 AM IST: With a little less than 10 minutes left in this half, both sides have very different objectives. Spain are looking for another goal while Portugal are hoping for the waves of attacks to eventually fade away. 12:02 AM IST: Portugal are sitting deep. That strategy was working just fine before they conceded but now Spain are looking menacing. 11:57 PM IST: That goal has reinvigorated Spain and they’re now attacking with a renewed purpose. 11:54 PM IST: GOAAAL! Diego Costa levels the game for Spain! 11:52 PM IST: Spain look very vulnerable on the counter attack. Portugal look likely to score every time they break at pace. 11:48 PM IST: Sergio Busquets the first player to go into the referee’s book tonight. Suspect he won’t be the last... 11:46 PM IST: Portugal, meanwhile, are happy to give up the lion’s share of the possession to Spain. This is a strategy that worked well for them in the Euro 2016. 11:43 PM IST: Spain are growing into the game now. They’re keeping the ball well enough; the key will now be to do something productive with it. 11:40 PM IST: Spain are beginning to find their rhythm. A long ball into the box lands awkwardly and David Silva manages to get a shot away but it sails over the bar. 11:38 PM IST: Not the start Spain would have wanted. Horrible foul to concede so early in the game and Portugal are ahead. All to do now for the 2010 champions. 11:35 PM IST: GOAAAL! RONALDO SCORES AND PUTS PORTUGAL AHEAD! 11:33 PM IST: PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! 11:30 PM IST: The referee blows his whistle and we are underway! 11:25 PM IST: The players have emerged from the tunnel onto the field. Clearly a big-game feel in the stadium today. 11:15 PM IST: Ronaldo will no doubt be the key man for Portugal but keep an eye on Bernado Silva as well. As for Spain?