Cristiano Ronaldo’s late free kick has earned Portugal a point in their opening 2018 World Cup fixture, as the European champions played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain in Sochi on Friday.
The Real Madrid forward had already netted two first-half goals to put his side ahead, only for Diego Costa to score either side and Nacho – at fault for the Selecao’s opener – to complete the stunning turnaround.
On his 36th outing at a major international tournament, however, Ronaldo sent a free kick up and over the wall to beat David de Gea for a third time, meaning the spoiled were shared at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Prior to that late twist, Spain had hit back twice to put themselves on course for a positive end to a difficult week.
The big selection call made by the stand-in boss was to field Nacho at right-back in place of the half-fit Dani Carvajal, despite Alvaro Odriozola filling in for the warm-up matches.
That would prove a big call as, after just two minutes of an action-packed first half, Nacho stuck out a leg and Cristiano Ronaldo took full advantage of the contact inside the box.
Diego Costa showed his qualities of old as he aggressively won the ball from Pepe, held off Jose Fonte and then picked out the bottom corner after waiting a couple of seconds for the perfect time to shoot.
Portugal went into the interval a goal in front, though, with Ronaldo’s 20-yarder somehow squirming through the hands of David de Gea.
Just 10 minutes of the second half were required for the 2010 winners to get back on level terms for a second time, courtesy of Costa’s close-range finish from a Sergio Busquets knockdown at the back post.
The game was then turned on its head less than through minutes later, as Nacho redeemed himself for his early challenge on Ronaldo by guiding a perfectly-struck half-volley past Rui Patricio from outside the box.
Costa spurned the chance to score a World Cup hat-trick when dragging a decent opportunity wide, with Iago Aspas coming on in his place for the final 13 minutes.
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