Ranking the top 3 Cristiano Ronaldo hat-tricks for Portugal

#1 Hat-trick against Spain

Hat-trick against Spain

The much-awaited group stage match between Spain and Portugal in the 2018 Fifa World Finals in Russia didn’t fail to disappoint as it was full of goals from both sides. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the star man in the match as his hat-trick helped Portugal secure a crucial point against 2010 champions Spain.

Ronaldo was playing in his fourth straight World Cup Finals and the Portuguese talisman had scored in the previous three. Surely he was looking to add to his tally and become the first Portuguese to score in four straight World Cups.

The match started with Portugal on the front foot and they were awarded an early penalty in the 4th minute after Ronaldo was tripped in the box by Nacho. As expected, the Portuguese star man opened the scoring. Spain responded in the 24th minute after a brilliant goal from Diego Costa.

In the 44th minute, Ronaldo doubled his tally after David de Gea fumbled a powerful shot and sent Portugal into the lead going into half time.

In the second half, Spain responded brilliantly, scoring two quick goals in quick succession, one through Costa and one through Nacho, who scored one of the goals of the tournament.

Portugal tried really hard thereafter to find an equalizer and then in the 88th minute, were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box. With the world watching, Ronaldo stepped up to take it and produced a curling strike over the wall, as a helpless De Gea watched the ball go right into the top corner. The match ended 3-3 with both teams sharing a point, but once again it was Ronaldo who grabbed the headlines thanks to a stellar har-trick.