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Portugal vs Spain, 2018 World Cup: Final Score 3-3, Busquets records assist, Ronaldo records hat-trick

What a game!

Portugal v Spain: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

The second day of the World Cup ended with what will quite possibly be the best match of the entire tournament as Portugal and Spain traded haymakers in a thrilling 90 minutes of football. La Roja played a beautiful team game, but Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and the game ended in a 3-3 draw that is completely fair. This was Ronaldo vs Spain.

FIRST HALF

Ronaldo needed just two minutes to win a penalty and fire his team ahead, and Spain were clearly stunned and it took them a while to recover. But as time went on the 2010 champions started to dominate the game and create some really dangerous opportunities. Diego Costa scored the equalizer after overpowering the Portugal defense, and La Roja looked ready to take the lead.

But in the final minute of the half, Ronaldo fired a weak shot into the hands David De Gea, and the Spain goalkeeper made a horrendous mistake to give back the lead for Portugal at halftime.

SECOND HALF

The final 45 minutes were a superb showing by Spain, who took the lead on goals by Diego Costa and Nacho and put on a passing clinic, forcing Portugal to desperately chase the game. But Ronaldo had an incredible night, and when Gerard Piqué committed a silly foul at the edge of the box, Cristiano played a spectacular free kick into the top left corner in what was an amazing way to end one of the best World Cup matches in recent memory.


Portugal: Patrício; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Bernardo (Quaresma), Moutinho, William, Fernandes (João Mário); Guedes (André Silva), Ronaldo

Goals: Ronaldo (4’, 44’, 88’)

Spain: De Gea; Nacho, Piqué, Ramos, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Iniesta (Thiago); Silva (Vázquez), Costa (Aspas), Isco

Goals: Diego Costa (24’, 55’), Nacho (58’)

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