Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational late free-kick to round off his hat-trick and salvage a draw for Portugal against Spain in a captivating match.
The Portugal captain put his side ahead with an early penalty and restored their lead just before half-time.
Diego Costa twice equalised with well-taken goals, with Nacho’s majestic goal appearing to have won it for Spain.
But Ronaldo stepped up to fire into the top-right corner with two minutes remaining to secure the draw in Sochi.
Ronaldo was just Ronaldo. The star attraction for many of the thousands of fans from all over the world who gathered at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium did not disappoint.
At 33, you feel this is his last chance at a World Cup win, and he looks ready to drag his side along as far as he can.
He tasted glory at last with his national team at Euro 2016 but was forced off in the final. The way he galvanised those around him here makes you wonder whether Portugal should be considered serious favourites, too.
Before this game Ronaldo had scored only three times from 13 World Cup games. His return still doesn’t make for Ronaldo-like reading – six in 14 – but with the opening goal he became the fourth player to score in four separate World Cups, joining Germans Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler and Brazil legend Pele.
And the Portuguese is now also the first player in history to score in eight consecutive major tournaments in a streak going back to Euro 2004.
He is only just getting started on his final tilt at the pinnacle of the game.
