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2018 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo steals show with hattrick as Iran, Uruguay sneak 1-0 wins

RUSSIA SNAPSHOT: Cristiano Ronaldo lived up to his billing as one of the world’s greatest players as Iran put Asia back on the map and patient Uruguay got reward for their industry - eventually.

Huw Bonello in Kazan and Russia
2 min read
June 16, 2018 - 3:31PM
Ronaldo was the hero for Portugal. Picture: AFP.
Ronaldo was the hero for Portugal. Picture: AFP.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored a magnificent hat-trick to rescue a point for Portugal against Spain in the dying minutes as the World Cup in Russia caught alight.

Ronaldo’s 51st career hat-trick in the 3-3 draw cancelled out two goals from Diego Costa and a strike from Nacho just as Spain looked like putting their chaotic week behind them with a morale-boosting win.

Elsewhere on day two of the tournament in Russia, Egypt left out Mohamed Salah and suffered a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat in the final minutes to Uruguay, while Iran snatched a last-gasp win against Morocco courtesy of an own goal.

The Group B clash between Ronaldo’s European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain in Sochi was a red-letter day on the competition’s calendar and it did not disappoint.

GAMES/RESULTS:

Uruguay 1 d Egypt 0 - Gimenez late header seals points

Iran 1 d Morocco 0 - Late winner puts Asia back on map

Spain 3 drew with Portugal 3 - Ronaldo lights up classic with hat-trick

BEST VIDEO

BEST PICTURES:

It was tough to bare for Eyptian supporters.
It was tough to bare for Eyptian supporters.
Iran put Asian football back on the map.
Iran put Asian football back on the map.
Cristiano Ronaldo curls in his delightful third goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo curls in his delightful third goal.

BEST GOAL:

Take your choice today. Ronaldo’s free kick was spectacular while Jimenez’s last-minute header for Uruguay was special as well. But the award goes to Spanish defender Nacho for his incredible volley.

Spain celebrate Nacho’s impressive strike.
Spain celebrate Nacho’s impressive strike.

GOOD, BAD AND UGLY:

The Good

Olivier Giroud, you have competition for the title of ‘Most Beautiful Man at the World Cup. Ladies, meet Morocco’s French coach, Hervé Renard. Swoon!

Jamie Lannister, anyone?

The Bad

It just wasn’t Luis Suarez’s day against the Egyptians. The Barcelona striker had four shots on goal but failed to find the back of the net, somehow missing from here in the first half.

The Ugly

The worst thing at a World Cup since Diana Ross’ penalty in 1994 returned on Friday. Fans that braved the early morning kick-off to watch Morocco v Iran were treated to the unmistakable, ear-bleeding sound of the vuvuzela. Please make it stop!!

THE WEIRD AND WACKY WORLD OF RUSSIA:

If you’re wondering what a World Cup in Russia looks like, we present Article A, a bear riding in a truck playing a vuvuzela after the hosts’ big win over Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

In other wacky news, Russian stadium security is understandbly super-tight for the biggest sporting event of the planet, but we’re not sure what they would have made of this. Tournament organisers have had to ban Nigerian fans from bringing LIVE CHICKENS into stadiums. Seriously, it’s a thing in Nigeria, apparently.

DAY THREE GAMES ON SUNDAY:

Peru v Denmark, 2am (EST), Saransk

Croatia v Nigeria, 5am (EST), Kaliningrad

Costa Rica v SAerbia, 10pm (EST), Samara

Originally published as 2018 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo steals show with hattrick as Iran, Uruguay sneak 1-0 wins

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/football/socceroos/2018-world-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-steals-show-with-hattrick-as-iran-uruguay-sneak-10-wins/news-story/dada5d6e3f076bbc24a2d16a79a152e5