Sochi June 16 (IANS) Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Portugal drew 3-3 with Spain in their World Cup Group B opening game in Sochi.
Ronaldo on Friday night twice put Portugal ahead and scored a late free kick to level the score after two goals from Diego Costa and a volley from Nacho Fernandez looked as if they were going to give Spain a morale boosting win just two days after Julen Lopetegui was sacked as coach and replaced by Fernando Hierro.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just 4 minutes from the penalty spot but Costa equalized in the 23rd minute with a right foot shot Xinhua reported.
A bad mistake from Spain keeper David de Ge allowed Ronaldo to again put Portugal ahead in the 44th minute but Spain dominated the second half as Costa s second goal after a Busquets header 10 minutes after the break and Nacho s 58th minute volley saw Spain turn the score around only for Ronaldo s 87th minute free kick to mean the honors were shared in a very entertaining match.

--IANS tsb