Ronaldo on fire, scores hat-trick as Portugal, Spain plays draw
The match has just ended in a draw Portugal 3-3 Spain.
Ronaldo on fire, scores hat-trick as Portugal, Spain plays draw
86: Gooooooooooal! Cristiano Ronaldo just scored the equalising goal (a free-kick) for Portugal. Ronaldo had just scored his hat-trick goal against Spain.
58′: Gooooooooal! Spain has taken the lead with a great goal. Nacho Fernandez who has been shaky in defence compensates in attack with a great volleyed goal. Spain take the lead after going behind twice.
55′: Goooooaaaaal! Costa has hit the back of the net again. 2-2, game on.
8:02: The game is back underway.
Meanwhile, here is what Ronaoldo’s heroics so far mean.
7:44: Gooooal! Ronaldo again. The Real Madrid forward ensures his side goes into the break with the lead.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the match.
Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP
7:28 pm: Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes picks the second yellow card of the game for tripping Nacho Fernandez.
7:26 pm: Almost! The crossbar denies Isco what would have been a great volleyed goal. Portugal would be thankful for that.
7:24 pm: Goooooal! Diego Costa levels the scores for Spain after a fantastic display of individual skills to dribble past some defenders.
Spain’s forward Diego Costa (2R) celebrates his goal with teammates.
7:20 pm: Spain have reacted well after going behind and is in control of possession but Portugal is not far behind. Portugal, 48%; Spain, 52%.
7:04 pm: Gooooal! It’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Great start for Portugal. Nacho trips Ronaldo three minutes in. And Portugal’s greatest goal score makes no mistake from the spot. 1-0 to Portugal.
7:17 pm: Spain’s Sergio Busquet becomes the first player to be booked for his rough foul on Goncalo Guedes.
7:00 pm: Portugal and Spain kick off their much-anticipated game. Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping that his side will be able to benefit from the controversy that hit the Spain camp with the decision of the Spanish FA to fire coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup.
6:50 pm: Costa, Nacho start for Spain against Portugal on Hierro debut
Diego Costa starts in attack and Nacho at right-back in new Spain coach Fernando Hierro’s starting line-up for Friday’s World Cup Group B showdown with neighbours Portugal in Sochi.
The team is that which would likely have started under Julen Lopetegui, had he not been sensationally sacked on Wednesday following the announcement that he would be joining Real Madrid after the tournament.
Portugal (4-2-3-1)
Rui Patricio; Cedric Soares, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho; Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Guedes; Cristiano Ronaldo (capt)
Coach: Fernando Santos (POR)
Spain (4-2-3-1)
David De Gea; Nacho, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos (capt), Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Koke; David Silva, Isco, Andres Iniesta; Diego Costa
Coach: Fernando Hierro (ESP)
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)