Cristiano Ronaldo is unstoppable. Spain had to learn it the hard way on Friday as the Portuguese skipper netted a hat-trick to earn his side a crucial point in their 2018 World Cup opener. He began the evening having never scored against Portugal’s Iberian rivals, but ended it with three goals to his name against their neighbours.
A breathtaking free-kick in the 88th minute left Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea rooted to his spot, and many around the world dumbfounded. A game that seemed safe in Spanish pockets was rescued in a flash. Spain were left licking their wounds as the draw felt like a defeat. But should it?
Records were broken. Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup finals, and the first ever in the competition’s history to score one against Spain. The Portuguese became just the fourth player player to score in four consecutive World Cups and the only one to score in eight successive major international events.
Under the shadow of Ronaldo’s achievements, Spain carved out a record of their own. La Roja became the first ever football team at club and international level to concede a hat-trick to Ronaldo, and still not be on the losing side. With club and country, all of Ronaldo’s 50 hat-tricks have seen him end up on the winning side until Spain had the honour of ending that streak.