Portugal 3-3 Spain: Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick, 2018 World Cup
Spain had sacked their coach Julen Lopetegui two days before the tournament began. Their first game was against the European champions, and it turned into one of the best group matches in World Cup history.
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Match facts
| Competition | FIFA World Cup group stage |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 June 2018 |
| Venue | Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi |
| Result | Portugal 3-3 Spain |
The story of the match
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty in the fourth minute. Diego Costa equalised, and Ronaldo restored the lead just before half-time when David de Gea let a shot slip through his hands.
In the second half Spain took control. Costa scored again, and Nacho hit a superb volley off the post to make it 3-2. With two minutes left Portugal won a free-kick 25 yards out, and Ronaldo curled it over the wall and into the top corner.
Key moments to watch for
- Ronaldo’s early penalty
- Diego Costa scores twice
- Nacho’s volley off the post
- Ronaldo’s late free-kick to complete his hat-trick
Why it’s one of the greatest football matches ever
At 33 Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at the time. The rivalry between neighbours, the quality of the goals and the drama of the finish make it a regular pick in lists of the best group games ever.
More classic football matches
- Netherlands 0-1 Spain: Iniesta Wins the 2010 World Cup
- Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: The Great Upset, 2022 World Cup
- Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 pens): 2022 World Cup Final Highlights
See all 40 on our list of the greatest matches ever, or catch up on this season on the latest highlights page.
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