Sports, World Cup 2018

Ronaldo hat-trick helps Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain

Superb display by Cristiano Ronaldo only enough to secure 1 point against Spain, Diego Costa scores 2

15.06.2018 - Update : 16.06.2018
Ronaldo hat-trick helps Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring a penalty shot during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group B match between Portugal and Spain at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia on June 15, 2018.

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

A magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo display in World Cup Group B match on Friday evening helped Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain.

Ronaldo put Portugal ahead twice in Sochi Stadium in the first half, but a strong start to the second half gave Spain a 3-2 lead.

In the 88th minute, Ronaldo took the center stage once again to score a beautiful free-kick to save his team from losing the match.

While Ronaldo scored all of his team's goals -- 51st hat-trick in his career -- Spain's goals came from Diego Costa (2) and Nacho.

Ronaldo's three goals was the 51st time a player scored a hat-trick in the World Cup history.

He became the third Portuguese player to ever score a hat-trick for Portugal. The first came by Portugal legend Eusebio in 1966 and the other was scored by Pauleta in 2002 against Poland.

The 3-3 scoreline meant one point for each team, giving Iran the lead in Group B after the first matches. Iran defeated Morocco 1-0 in the first match of the group on Friday.

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