Sochi: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo curled in a sizzling late free kick to strike the first hat-trick of the 2018 World Cup and grab his side a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain on Friday as the Group B blockbuster lived up to the hype.
In what is sure to go down as a World Cup classic, Spain forward Diego Costa notched a double before Nacho put them ahead with a brilliant third, only for Ronaldo to snatch a point with a stunning 88th minute equaliser.
Ronaldo, who took his international goal tally to 84 goals in 151 games to join the great Hungarian Ferenc Puskas in second on the all-time list, became only the fourth player to score in four World Cups after Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose.
Cristiano Ronaldo wheels away in delight after scoring his third goal with a free kick.
Photo: AP
He had also scored in the past four European Championships to become the only player to score in eight major international tournaments.
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Remarkably, the result left Iran top of Group B with three points after they earlier beat Morocco 1-0 thanks to a late own goal in a match that was pedestrian by comparison.
"I always believe in myself but obviously I want to emphasise the way the team played. We never turned away from the fight," Ronaldo said.
Spain's Diego Costa shoots and scores his side's first goal.
Photo: AP
"This was only the first match but we are going to believe until the end."
Spain were still reeling from the remarkable decision to fire coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday, after the federation said he had negotiated a contract to take over at Real Madrid without their knowledge and replaced him with Fernando Hierro.
"We feel very proud of the players after the adversity of the match itself, we've come back and equalised twice, we feel great commitment and pride," Hierro said.
The match got off to an explosive start when Ronaldo beat Nacho on the left of the box with a stepover, was tripped and converted the penalty himself in emphatic style after four minutes.
Costa equalised in the 24th as he latched onto a long ball forward by Sergio Busquets, bundled off a challenge from Pepe, slipped the attention of two more defenders and slotted his shot past keeper Rui Patricio.
The goal was confirmed after a review 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 a blunder by goalkeeper David de Gea as the ball hit his hand and slipped agonisingly into the net.
Referee Gianluca Rocchi from Italy shows yellow card to Spain's Sergio Busquets .
Photo: AP
Costa levelled from close range 10 minutes after the break and 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 a fizzing shot in off the post.
Incredibly, there was more drama to come as Portugal were awarded a free kick – won by Ronaldo – about 20 metres from goal in the 88th minute.
Ronaldo rolled up his shorts, stepped forward and curled the ball over and around the wall into the top corner to set off delirious celebrations amongst the Portugal players and fans.
Costa clattered home another equaliser in the 55th while Nacho's stunning first goal for his country three minutes later looked to have given Spain a galvanising victory two days after their preparations were thrown into disarray when coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked for agreeing to join Real Madrid behind the Spanish soccer federation's back.
But Ronaldo, who became the first player to score in eight consecutive major international tournaments, yet again delivered on the big occasion with his expertly taken set-piece to level for the Euro 2016 winners and inflict more pain on Spain in a chaotic week for the 2010 world champions.
Reuters
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