Sochi: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick as Portugal snatched a 3-3 draw with Spain in a World Cup classic here on Friday. Real Madrid star Ronaldo crashed in an 88th minute free-kick to snatch a point for Portugal after a second-half goal from Nacho put the Spaniards 3-2 ahead.
Ronaldo’s late equaliser capped a storming encounter which came after a chaotic few days which saw Spain coach Julen Lopetegui sacked and Fernando Hierro appointed as his replacement.
Earlier, Ronaldo had twice put the European champions in front only for Diego Costa to bring Spain level on each occasion on a steamy night on Russia’s Black Sea coast.
But then Ronaldo stepped up to send his free-kick from 25 yards up over the wall and into the net, as the Iberian neighbours settled for a point apiece in this Group B encounter. It was a remarkable signal of intent from the current Ballon d’Or winner, who had never made a serious impact in any of his previous three World Cups, only managing to score one goal in each.
In one night the Real Madrid superstar doubled his World Cup finals goal tally, and made history by scoring at an eighth consecutive major tournament going back to Euro 2004, when he was still a teenager.
Iran beat Morocco
A heartbreaking stoppage-time own goal from substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz gave Iran a dramatic 1-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup Group B opener on Friday.
Iran left-back Ehsan Hajsafi whipped in a free kick five minutes into added time and Bouhaddouz launched himself at the ball, glancing a header past his own keeper Munir Mohamedi.
The Iranians, who had not won a World Cup game since their victory over the US in 1998, celebrated as if they had won the tournament.
Uruguay beat Egypt
Jose Gimenez scored an 89th-minute header to secure a 1-0 win for Uruguay against Egypt in their World Cup opener on Friday, just as the North Africans appeared to have escaped with a point despite missing key striker Mohamed Salah.
Gimenez met a Carlos Sanchez free kick to score the goal that broke a run since 1960 of failing to win in the opening game of the World Cup finals.
Today’s Matches
France Vs Australia (C) 03:30 pm
Argentina Vs Iceland (D) 06:30 pm
Peru Vs Denmark (C) 09:30 pm
Tomorrow’s matches
Croatia Vs Nigeria (D) 12:30 am
Costa Rica Vs Serbia (E) 05.30 pm
Germany Vs Mexico (F) 08.30 pm
Brazil Vs Switzerland (E) 11:30 pm
Yesterday’s Results
Uruguay beat Egypt1 – 1-0
Iran beat Morocco- 1-0
Portugal drew with Spain -3-3
This post was published on June 16, 2018 5:15 pm