Throughout the World Cup, the day after each Seleção game, PortuGOAL will be focusing on the Portugal man-of-the-match. After an amazing opener against Spain, it was a tough choice... Jamie Farr reports.
Portugal’s World Cup campaign began in thrilling style last night with a 3-3 draw against Group B favourites Spain, a pulsating encounter that will live long in the memory. The Seleção’s team performance was far from perfect with a few inconsistent performers throughout, but PortuGOAL’s Man of the Match award can quite clearly go to only one player: once again the captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo stealing all of the headlines.
Many have painted Portugal as simply Cristiano Ronaldo carrying a gang of misfits along with him as he single-handedly drags them towards success. These claims were placated somewhat when the team secured their famous Euro 2016 final triumph against France almost exclusively without him, but last night he showed exactly why he is so important with his first ever World Cup hat-trick, and the 51st treble of his remarkable career.
Portugal 3-3 Spain match report
Ronaldo got up and running as early as the 4th minute, winning and converting a penalty that he had won after being brought down by Real Madrid team-mate Nacho. Ronaldo confidently sent Spain goalkeeper David De Gea the wrong way from a spot kick that he never looked like missing.
Pace and sharpness
Ronaldo was looking sharp all over the pitch, showing impressive bursts of pace despite his 33 years and leading from the front well. Diego Costa equalised for Spain midway through the half but Portugal reclaimed the lead just before half time with Ronaldo grabbing his second. This time around he had De Gea to thank largely however, the usually reliable Manchester United number one somehow letting Ronaldo’s low left-footed shot slip through his grasp.
Into the second period and Spain amped up the pressure, and ended up taking the lead with two goals in quick succession from Costa and Nacho. A number of Portuguese players appeared to be wilting under the pressure of the occasion, as well as Spain’s hypnotic attacking play. Ronaldo’s attitude was appearing to sour a little in frustration but on the whole remained positive, stretching and testing the Spanish backline with dangerous runs in behind as well as retaining his customary aerial threat.
Portugal player ratings versus Spain
A couple of instances of last ditch Spanish defending was keeping their lead intact but ultimately Ronaldo had the final say and completed his hat-trick in some style to rescue a point for Portugal. Again he was involved in the build-up, drawing a foul from Gerard Pique to win a free kick in a dangerous position with only a few minutes remaining. Once one of his greatest strengths, it has become no secret that in recent years Ronaldo has not enjoyed as much set piece success as he was once famed for. Indeed, before stepping up last night he had failed to score in the World Cup with his previous 45 dead ball attempts at goal. However, De Gea was once again left with no answer but to no fault this time, Ronaldo curling a sumptuous effort up and over the wall, a glorious moment that saw the Portuguese faithful erupt.
Hunger still there
There is not much more to say about Ronaldo’s staggering career but what is perhaps an overlooked quality at times is how the hunger and the fire burns so bright still despite all he has already achieved. Last night saw a Ronaldo that still believes there are more pages to be written in his career and after their Euro 2016 triumph he has every right to believe that World Cup glory is still possible.
By Jamie Farr
