Portugal 3-3 Spain: 3 things that went right for Portugal

#2 Portugal's counter-attacking strategy

Santos' tactics bore fruit

It was obvious that Portugal will have the least share of possession against a team that is arguably the best in the world in that aspect. Santos set up his team in a 4-4-2 formation with two lines of four dropping deep and making it difficult for Spain to penetrate. Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Guedes started up front.

In the first half, Portugal had 32% of the ball but were still the more threatening side. It was because of their ability to counter-attack in numbers and with intent. Ronaldo rolled back the years with his blitzing runs and was helped by his midfielders who transitioned quickly and brilliantly.

Spain were exposed at the back far too many times in the game. Had it been for better decision making by Guedes and Bernardo Silva, Portugal would have got a comfortable lead in the first half itself. In the end, Ronaldo's clinical finishing got them to a praiseworthy result.