Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup 2018 goal: Real Madrid man makes history scoring Portugal penalty against Spain

Ronaldo scored a penalty kick to hand Portugal the lead over Spain in the World Cup 2018 Group B match in Sochi. Follow live updates

It took Cristiano Ronaldo just four minutes to open the scoring for Portugal against Spain in the 2018 World Cup, a routine goal that saw the Real Madrid man make history.

In Fernando Hierro’s first match in charge of Spain as interim manager it was Portugal who made the better start, dominating possession in the opening exchanges.

And the first moment of real drama came when Ronaldo attempted to dart past Nacho in the Spanish penalty box, only to trip over the player’s left leg.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi paused for a moment – before awarding a penalty kick to Portugal.

Of course it was Ronaldo who stepped up to take the spot kick, confidently belting the ball past Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to hand the European champions the lead.

And in opening the scoring – Ronaldo grabbed a slice of World Cup history.

His goal saw him become just the fourth man in history to score goals at four different World Cup finals.

Nacho felled Ronaldo in the box (REUTERS)

Ronaldo scored once at the 2006 World Cup, netting the second goal in a 2-0 win over Iran.

He also scored once at the 2010 World Cup, against North Korea in a 7-0 win.

And in 2014 he hit the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Ghana.

The spot-kick also saw Ronaldo become the first man in international history to score goals in eight consecutive major tournaments.

Ronaldo celebrates his penalty kick goal (REUTERS)

It was the 33-year-old's 82nd goal for Portugal, in his 151st international appearance.