Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely an exceptional player, unique and exceptional. As his Portugal headed for a defeat in the Iberian derby against Spain on Friday night at Ficht Stadium in Sochi, the captain of the other Seleção allowed his team to pick up the point of the draw in the final moments of the game thanks to an extra-terrestrial free-kick scored in the 88th minute.
Much awaited this first clash of the competition, which ended on the score of 3-3, proposed a game open, rhythmic, stunning and scenario worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. With Cristiano Ronaldo behind the camera, it’s even tastier.
The author of a triplet, including this free-kick that we will talk about over and over again, the Portuguese was without any doubt the man of the evening. Before saving his team, they led them to victory by scoring goals of 1-0 (4th on penalty) and 2-1 (44th) in the first act, before pausing and restarting the machine at the end of the game with the hargne and winning rage we know.
The Real Madrid player became the oldest player to register a triple in the World Cup. Hit in the right ankle at the end of the match, the No. 7 will probably be put under bell by Fernando Santos in the next few days.
The team from Portugal knew everything about this. Well organized and disciplined, she first trapped a Spain in diesel mode and entered her game poorly. Spicy on the counter but clumsy on the other side, the fault to a bad coordination in front between Ronaldo and Gonçalo Guedes, the champion of Europe 2016 did everything well for half a time before leaving the keys to La Roja, then to regain the upper hand at the end of the game. It will take less time to aim far, but this Portugal has shown a very high adaptability.
No big game without a big opponent. Without a successful performance, Fernando Hierro’s Spain, expected at the turn after its internal setbacks, did not win this match, but it showed its capacity for reaction and a strong character. Just the opposite of what happened in his first game of the 2014 World Cup against the Netherlands (5-1 loss, ed.).
Masterfully led by Isco and David Silva, it produced its game in a controlled second act, but failed to find its defensive balance. In front, Diego Costa, finally appeared in the skin of a decisive goalscorer. His profile as a mover did a lot of good to his team and his release was a big hit at the end of the game. His double (24th, 55th) allowed La Roja to return to the game twice, but not to win. The following events will allow everybody to adjust machines. Portugal and Spain are two different. But beautiful.