Five time world best player Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show as Portugal and Spain played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their opening Group B world cup fixture.
The Real Madrid forward, who has led his club side to three consecutive Champions League victories, single highhandedly dragged his lacklustre national side to stand toe to toe with the 2010 World Cup Champions.
With Spain leading with a minute to go, Ronaldo drilled in a freekick from close to 30m to draw the game level and scrape a point for his side.
Spain had given the tournament it’s biggest storyline after they sacked their coach with barely two days to their opening game, but they showed no sign of confusion as they threatened to run rampant against a Ronaldo inspired Portugal.
The marauding winger got the game going with barely 4 minutes played, as he won and then converted a penalty.
Then started a back and forth with Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa. Costa equalized with a brilliant individual effort, before Ronaldo restored his side’s lead and Costa drew the game level once again.
Nacho’s pile driver in the 58th minute had given Spain the lead and they seemed destined for victory, but Ronaldo’s world class freekick in the 88th minute cinched the draw for his side.
In Group B’s other game earlier in the day, African side Morocco lost 1-0 to Iran after conceding a last minute own goal from a freekick.