Sports Desk/ Muhammad Shakib
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick halted the former champion European giant Spain from defeating the European champion Portugal as the second match of group-B of FIFA World Cup 2018 ended up in 3-3 goals. The match kicked off at 12 am in Bangladesh time at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.
The high voltage game began with the Spanish side pressurized the Portuguese with their tiki-taka passing. The air filled with cheers in the very opening minute of the game as Spanish defender Nacho made a serious tackle on Portugal superstar Ronaldo inside the D-box to give away a penalty for the men in red. And with his ultimate penalty skill, Ronaldo scored his first goal of the tournament on the 4thminute.
The Spanish side didn’t have to wait for the equalizer as the Athletico Madrid forward Diego Costa scored a brilliant goal by dribbling pass 4 defenders from a long ball by Sergio Busquets on the 24th minute of the game.
Both sides tried to penetrate through the oppositions’ defensive line but couldn’t make it until Cristiano Ronaldo just before the half time with a long range shot scored the second goal of the night for Portugal on the 44th minute.
The second half began with the Spanish side focusing on increasing the score sheet and on the 55th minute Diego Costa scored his second goal of the night to equalize the score sheet.
Just a few minutes after the leveling score the Real Madrid defender Nacho lead the Spanish side by 3-2 goals with an amazing long range shot from outside the box on the 58th minute.
Having the lead in the game, the former champions held the ball within the mid field with their tiki-taka style. As the final minutes was approaching, Gerard Pique made a foul on Ronaldo that made it all difference for the night. Ronaldo clinched the record to be the third player to score a hat-trick for Portugal at the WC after Eusébio (4 goals vs Korea DPR in 1966) and Pauleta (3 goals vs Poland in 2002). With the goal the official whistled the match to an end.
Picture: Fifa