Three-goal hero Cristiano Ronaldo commended his team-mates for earning Portugal a 3-3 World Cup Group B draw against Spain. Ronaldo however acknowledged scoring a treble at the World Cup was a “personal best”.
The Real Madrid star opened the scoring in the fourth minute, converting a penalty after club team-mate Nacho Fernandez was adjudged to have fouled him. Ronaldo then put Portugal ahead again before half-time thanks to David de Gea’s mistake, following Diego Costa’s first equaliser. An 88th-minute Ronaldo free-kick then broke Spanish hearts after Costa and Nacho turned the game around for Spain.
“It’s more important to highlight what the team has done, playing against a favourite for the World Cup. In my opinion it was a fair result. I am very happy,” Ronaldo said. “It’s a personal best which is beautiful – it’s one more record in my career.”