FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 
Spain 3 ( David Costa 2 , Nacho 1 ) : Portugal 3 ( Christiano Ronaldo) 

Soccer Super star Christiano Ronlado, Balon D’orowner scoring an astonishing hat trick rescued his team from the jaw of a possible defeat in a high voltage hotly contested Group B match. The match ended 3-3.  It was very very special display of special skill of the superman on a night of many superlatives. Diego Costa scored twice and Nacho netted the other for Spain.

It was a roller coaster match for the soccer admirers where quality of football reached the crescendo. Two top dogs of world soccer played one of the most fascinating matches of the world cup history at the tourist delight city Sochi. 3-3 drawn match witnessed Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) one of the greatest footballers world would ever see scoring a fascinating hat trick. Spain one of the top favorites of the tournament displayed their wonderfully aggressive brand of football all through.  They dominated the proceeding most of the time. But whenever Portugal counter attacked with lightening speed they always looked threatening. CR7 looked amazing. This match has definitely lightened up the world cup. 

What was not there? Penalty very early bring CR7 on the score sheet, Diego Costa scoring a fascinating goal to equalize, de Gea making a horrible lapse again from a feeble strike from Ronaldo. Costa again equalized from a set piece. Defaulter Spanish defender Nacho put his team in from 3-2 with a splenid goal. Finally CR7 scored from a high quality free kick 3-3. The most ideal result in the high voltage match which neither team deserved to loose.

Yesterday host Russia humiliated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the first match. Today early on Egypt lost to Uruguay through a last minute heart breaking goal. Iran should consider themselves lucky in winning though a solitary suicide goal against Morocco.  But after these three not too top class matches Spain Portugal match sparked the world cup.

Spain won the world cup in 2010. These team retains 8 players of that world cup winning team. Six started match on the day. They are one the top favorites for winning the cup. 

Portugal has never won the world cup. Not even their Golden Generation team of Lu Figo or Rui Costa could even take them to the final.   Portugal is the European cup holder now and possess a player called Christano Ronaldo regarded as a magician. Many of the players of the two teams are club mates in Barcelona or Real Madrid.

The match promised so much and delivered more than expectations. Spanish football is in theheadline recently for sacking its inspirational coach JulenLupeteguionly few days before the match as Real Madrid announced him as their new coach. Lupetegi reportedly did not discuss this on time with Spanish Football Federation. Fernando Hierro was appoint as the new Coach.

The Match

The match started at brisk pace. The two different styles and two different strategies came to surface. Spain played mixture of European power football and South American brand of artistic football. Portugese were fast and furious in counter ttack catching Spanish defense napping. Ball started rolling side to side with teams looking to wretch early advantage. Nacho made a mistake inside Spanish box tripping CR7 four minutes into the match. Ronaldo never scored against Spain. His spot kick put Portugal ahead early in the match 1-0. Spain stepped up the gear unleashing barrage of goal potential attacks. But whenever Portugal counter attacked they also looked menacing. Ball started switching end to end at lightening speed. Football was at the highest level. David Costa scored an amazing equalizer with a brilliant surging drive from the way outside the box in 24 minute of the match making it 1-1.  Spain was dominating the proceeding and looked like taking the lead while on a counter attack rather Portugal surged ahead through CR7 again. From a good move orchestrated by GuancaloGuede Ronaldo unleashed a feeble strike at Spanish goal. Manchester United keeper de Gea saves 9 out 10 such strikes. But ironically his fumble took Portugal to 2-1 lead.  The match promised more drama at lemon time.

A well planned strategy of Spain and perfect execution saw them surge to 3-2.  First Diego scored his second goal of the night from agoal mouth melee in Portugesedefence. Not much latter Nacho scored a scorcher taking Spain to the lead again. However both Costa and Nacho were substituted by Hierro .Nacho was on a yellow card. But replacing Diego Costa was possibly not a good move. Spanish attack lost bite. Portugal kept probing in counter attack. The very entertaining match was drawing to the close with another possible heart breaking loss for Portugese.

On 88th minute a very special moment came for a very special player .Portugal got a free kick from a vintage spot . What a free kick it was! No goal keeper of the world could do anything other than stand and appreciate. We are sure like that goal of Carlos Aleberto this goal will be displayed million times around the world. Ronaldo scored a hat trick. Iberian neighbors shared points.  Prior to this match Ronaldo scored three goals in all his previous world cup matches. He doubled his tally in one night. Looks like that he may finish with golden boot in this world cup.

There is little doubt that these teams would advance and perhaps one would feature in the final. We are not sure whether Iran or Morocco can match the quality of soccer these two teams played.

Thanks to the teams for igniting fire of World Cup 2018. There will be many more spectacular matches I am sure in this world cup. But few would match this.

Portugal: 
Rui Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerrcio, WillanCarvello, Joao Moulinho, BerhandoSilva, GunacaloGuede , Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo.

Spain:
F de Gea , Nacho, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alva, Busquets, Koke, Silva , Inesta and Diego Costa.

BDST: 1020 HRS, JUNE 16, 2018
AP