Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal. ReutersSochi: Portugal's irrepressible captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning late free kick to complete a World Cup hat-trick and rescue a 3-3 draw in an enthralling match against neighbours Spain on Friday.
In by far the best game of the tournament so far, Spain forward Diego Costa notched a double before Nacho put them 3-2 ahead with a brilliant third only for Ronaldo to snatch a point.
Ronaldo, who took his tally to 84 goals in 151 games for Portugal, became only the fourth player to score in four World Cups after Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose. He had also scored in the last four European Championship tournaments.
Remarkably, the result left Iran top of Group B with three points after they earlier beat Morocco 1-0 thanks to a late own goal in a match which was pedestrian by comparison.
Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal with David Silva, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta. Reuters"I always believe in myself but obviously I want to emphasise the way the team played. We never turned away from the fight, " said Ronaldo. "This was only the first match but we are going to believe until the end."
Spain were still reeling from the remarkable decision to fire coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday, after the federation said he had negotiated a contract to take over at Real Madrid without their knowledge and replaced him with Fernando Hierro.
Explosive start
The match got off to an explosive start when Ronaldo beat Nacho on the left of the box with a stepover, was tripped and converted the penalty himself in emphatic style after four minutes.
Spain's Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Koke look dejected after Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (not pictured) scored their second goal. ReutersCosta equalised in the 24th as he latched onto a long ball forward by Sergio Busquets, bundled off a challenge from Pepe, slipped through two defenders and slotted his shot past keeper Rui Patricio.
The goal was confirmed after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR), being used at the World Cup for the first time, for a possible foul on Pepe.
Spain appeared to be on top as Isco rifled a shot against the bar, only for Ronaldo to strike again one minute before halftime with the help of a blunder by goalkeeper David De Gea as the ball hit his hand and slipped agonisingly into the net.
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FIFA World Cup: Portugal vs Spain
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal against Spain. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Portugal vs Spain
Spain's Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal with David Silva, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Portugal vs Spain
Portugal's Bruno Fernandes (R) in action against Spain's Nacho Fernandez. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Portugal vs Spain
Spain's Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Koke look dejected after conceding a goal against Portugal. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Morocco vs Iran
An Iran fan attends the Group B match between Morocco and Iran at the Saint Petersburg Stadium. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Morocco vs Iran
Morocco's Amine Harit in action with Iran's Vahid Amiri, Karim Ansarifard and Omid Ebrahimi. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Morocco vs Iran
Iran's Karim Ansarifard in action with Morocco's Nordin Amrabat. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez celebrates after scoring a goal against Egypt. Reuters
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Egypt's midfielder Amr Warda (L) tackles Uruguay's defender Martin Caceres (R) during the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
An Egypt fan is seen before kick off of the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Egypt's midfielder Abdallah Said (C) takes a free kick during the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Egypt's forward Mahmoud Hassan (R) tries to shoot as Uruguay's defender Diego Godin (L) defends during the Group A football match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Uruguay fans hold flags before kick off of the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Egypt's forward Mahmoud Hassan in action during the Group A match against Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena. AFP
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FIFA World Cup: Egypt vs Uruguay
Egypt's goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy claims the ball during the Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena. AFP
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Costa levelled from close range 10 minutes after the break and Spain went ahead for the first time with a remarkable strike from Nacho, who met the ball on the volley at an awkward height and sent an inswinging shot in off the post.
Incredibly, there was more drama to come as Portugal were awarded a free kick -- won by Ronaldo -- about 20 metres out in the 88th minute.
Ronaldo rolled up his shorts, stepped forward and curled the ball around the wall into the top corner to set off delirious celebrations amongst the Portugal players and fans.
Spain coach Hierro said: "We feel very proud of the players after the adversity of the match itself, we've come back and equalised twice, we feel great commitment and pride."
