Two European heavyweights met each other in the second day of FIFA World Cup, as Spain takes on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
The first match featuring the heavyweights of the tournament has, quite poetically, set Russia 2018 off. A treat to watch from start to finish, this game was all about the oozing class of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the highest quality of technical abilities on display.
The evening began on a fiery note as Cristiano Ronaldo was fouled in the fourth minute inside the box, as Nacho put his leg across the Portuguese after being beaten by a cheeky step-over. Ronaldo sweetly put the ball on the right corner, sending keeper David De Gea the other way.
Spain soon started to dominate possession, and equalised in the 24th minute. However, their goal came from a counter-attack when Sergio Busquets won the ball and passed it across the half to Diego Costa. The Spaniard beat two defenders before finally putting the ball past Rui Patricio.
But the half didn’t end just yet. Even when Spain dominated possession, they conceded the ball away, which gave Ronaldo ample space to take the shot. Quite surprisingly, David De Gea made an unthinkable error as the ball went past between his legs.
Second half started relatively slow, until Andres Iniesta was fouled 30 yards from goal. A David Silva free-kick was first headed by Busquets but failed to find the goal, however the ball went straight to his fellow teammate Diego Costa. Costa made no mistake and stabbed the ball from six yards before the goal.
Soon after the goal, Spain took the lead for the first time in the match with Nacho scoring with a stunning hit.
However, Ronaldo proved his greatness again as he defied the laws of physics with a tremendous free-kick. David De Gea could only play spectator to the stunning goal, as the match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Here are some of the tweets from the match:
Hierro: “De Gea, you have to carry us like you carry ManUtd, CARRY US !!”
De Gea: “Carry us”
“Carry us”
“Carryus”
“Carius”
“Karius” #PORESP pic.twitter.com/q5odTFzP4k— Rupesh (@Of_Rupesh) June 15, 2018
Costa 2 Cristiano 2. Cracking.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 15, 2018
A perfect penalty from Ronaldo, who shouts “HAHAHA YOU’LL NEVER GET ME IN JAIL MR TAXMAN!” as he slots the ball home to give #POR the lead.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 15, 2018
De Gea for Man Utd: Carry us
De Gea for Spain: Karius pic.twitter.com/Mnhcq9vCqb— MG (@IVIartin_) June 15, 2018
There was even a cheeky elbow from Costa into Pepe’s face before he slotted it home beautifully. It’s the perfect Diego Costa goal. What a man. #ESP
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 15, 2018
Best thing about that Nacho finish is that there was no dip on it. #worldcup
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) June 15, 2018
Portugal v Spain is getting too much for me, I think i’ll make a cup of tea to calm myself down.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) June 15, 2018
When Americans cover football. 😂 pic.twitter.com/H8XXaxaSG3
— Sunday League Footy (@SundayChants) June 15, 2018
Wow…… @Cristiano making it 3-3 😳 #WorldCup
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 15, 2018
#Ronaldo is one I’ll take credit for.
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) June 15, 2018
The best managers make teams greater than the sum of its parts. Ronaldo does that himself.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 15, 2018
Ronaldo scores his 51st hat-trick. His goal was his first successful freekick in a major tournaments at the 45th attempt. Incredible.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 15, 2018
I can’t breathe…. it’s illegal what @Cristiano is doing at the #WorldCupRussia #FIFA2018 #FIFA
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 15, 2018