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Cristiano Ronaldo was in a usually selfless mood after scoring a historic hat-trick in Portugal’s 3-3 draw with Spain, choosing to laud his international team-mates after a stunning solo performance.
Ronaldo denied Spain’s interim manager Fernando Hierro from winning his first match in charge, scoring a free-kick in the 88th minute to complete a hat-trick and salvage a point for the reigning European champions.
Until that moment it looked as though Spain would seal all three points, after Diego Costa twice equalised before Nacho gave his side the lead with a remarkable long-range strike.
But Ronaldo was on hand to ensure the shares were spoiled and he afterwards paid tribute to Portugal’s team spirit.
World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratingsShow all 24 1 /24World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Portugal
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Rui Patricio - 6 Could do little about the three Spanish goals, looked like a safe pair of hands for the rest of the game.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Cedric Soares - 7 Got forward well, and was one of the better Portuguese defenders when faced with Costa and co.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Pepe - 6 Should have done better for the opening Costa goal and looked a little rusty against an in-form striker.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Jose Fonte - 7 Strong at the back, and could do little about the Spanish goals.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Raphael Guerreiro - 7 Solid for Portugal but sometimes bewildered by Spanish passing – but that could be said for everyone at times.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings William Carvalho - 7 Strong and powerful, good in possession and won the ball back several times.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Joao Moutinho - 7 Reliable and hard working for Portugal, sometimes over run in midfield but didn’t stop for his team.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Bruno Fernandes - 6 One of the weaker players for Portugal, hauled off in the second half whilst on a yellow.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Bernardo Silva - 6 Not the Silva we were used to seeing at Manchester City, taken off early in the second half.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Goncalo Guedes - 6 Had chances on the counter to hurt Spain in the first half but fluffed his lines.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Cristiano Ronaldo - 10 Cool and calm under pressure for the penalty, lucky for his second, but stupendous for the third. Didn’t put a foot wrong.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Spain
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings David De Gea - 5 Could do nothing for Ronaldo’s early penalty, but an absolute howler for his second, and unsighted for his third. Not his finest 90 minutes.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Nacho - 7 A mixed bag from the defender. Poor to bring down Ronaldo for the penalty, but the best goal he will ever score to make up for it.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Gerard Pique - 7 Good in possession as ever, and with Ronaldo scoring from two set pieces and a goalkeeping error he will feel unlucky to concede three.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Sergio Ramos - 7 Some beautiful cross field balls and passing, looked fairly solid at the back especially against Guedes.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Jordi Alba - 6 A quiet game by his standards, good in possession as expected but not as much of an attacking threat as usual.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Sergio Busquets - 7 Winning the ball back consistently, and spreading possession, Busquets remains calm and collected.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Koke - 7 The man behind the passing, never takes the headlines but kept Spanish midfield ticking.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings David Silva - 8 An impressive performance to link with Costa up front, and a constant danger for Portugal.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Isco - 9 A brilliant talent, controlling the passing and play all over the pitch. His skills and trickery frustrated Portugal.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Andres Iniesta - 7 Tired towards the end before being substituted, but showed glimpses of his passing that oozes class.
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World Cup: Portugal vs Spain player ratings Diego Costa - 9 One of his best performances in a Spanish shirt, two goals and an overall good performance. Unlucky to be subbed.
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“We tried to win. Spain had control of the ball, but the draw was a fair result,” he admitted.
“The team have sacrificed until the end. We were facing one of the favourites, we knew that it would be difficult.”
The Portugal captain added: “I always believe in myself, I work for this but I want to emphasise the response of the team.
“We must give credit to the team.”
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