Cristiano Ronaldo started his 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign with a goal feast, netting a hat trick for Portugal to deny Spain victory in an emphatic six goals thriller and becomes the fourth player to score in four World Cups after Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose.
Ronaldo opened up the scoring in first half through a penalty kick after getting fouled in the box just three minutes into the match. Ronaldo drilled a confident blast into the back of the net to give Portugal a 1-0 lead.
Costa equalised for Spain in the 24th as he latched out a long ball after beating two defenders and slotted his shot past Rui Patricio.
Once again, Ronaldo made it 2-1 for Portugal just before halftime, striking a shot from his left foot just outside the box.
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.
But it was Ronaldo’s final shot of the night that truly showed his brilliance.
With the hat trick, Ronaldo has equaled 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.
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.
Anthony Nlebem, reporting from Kaliningrad
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