Friday , March 29 2024

2018 FIFA World Cup – Group B: Portugal & Spain play out a thrilling 3-3 draw!

The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Friday, June 15 evening with an Iberian thriller which ended in a 3-3 draw between Portugal and Spain at the Olympic Stadium in Sochi.

Portugal had the better start then after a foul from Nacho on Cristiano Ronaldo, it was the Real Madrid striker who banged in the penalty in only the fourth minute.

Spain needed some time to get over this early shock and equalised in the 24th minute through the individual brilliance of Diego Costa, who beat three defenders and then scored with a placed shot. Spain were now in control with their tiki taka approach, but on the counter in the 44th minute Portugal went ahead once more, a Cristiano Ronaldo effort which was let in rather cheaply by keeper David de Gea. Portugal went into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Spain put tons of pressure on Portugal at the start of the second session and they turned things around. Following a free-kick in the 55th minute, Sergip Busquet’s extended the ball for Diego Costa for a simple tap in. Only three minutes later Spain went ahead of a brilliant long-ranger by Nacho after a long passage of Spanish combination football.

Spain thereafter made the mistake of not being able to score a fourth. Then came the 88th minute, a foul from Gerard Pique on Cristiano Ronaldo and a class CR7 free-kick beating the Spanish wall and keeper David de Gea.

In the end the game ended 3-3, a fair result for both Portugal and Spain, who will go as favourites into their next couple of group matches.

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group B

Portugal 3-3 (2-1) Spain

Goals: 1-0,2-1,3-3 Cristiano Ronaldo (4′ pen, 44′,88′), 1-1,2-2 Diego Costa (24′,55′), 2-3 Nacho (58′)

Portugal: Rui Patricio – Cedric, Pepe, José Fonte, Guerreiro – Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho – Bernardo Silva (69′ Ricardo Quaresma), Bruno Fernandes (68′ Joao Mario) – Goncalo Guedes (80′ André Silva), Cristiano Ronaldo
Subs: Beto, Lopes, Bruno Alves, Mario Rui, Ricardo Pereira, Ruben Dias, Adrien Silva, Manuel Fernandes, Gelson Martins

Spain: de Gea – Nacho, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba – Busquets – D. Silva (86′ Vazquez), Koke, Iniesta (70′ Thiago), Isco – Diego Costa (77′ Iago Aspas)
Subs: Kepa, Reina, Azpilicueta, Carvajal, Monreal, Odriozola, Asensio, Saul Niguez, Rodrigo Moreno

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)

Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

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