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Spain 3-3 Cristiano Ronaldo

What a matchIt was the headline fixture of the opening days of the World Cup, and boy did it live up to its billing. Fans of the beautiful game across the globe will have delighted in a footballing spectacle between two teams who have it in them to meet again in Moscow on 15 July.

Spain showed tremendous heart in Sochi

It was wonderful to watch this clash between a Spanish side overflowing with talent, and a player who is simply beyond any superlative you'll find in the dictionary: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates making it 3-3 in Portugal and Spain's World Cup clash in Sochi on Friday.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates making it 3-3 in Portugal and Spain's World Cup clash in Sochi on Friday.XIN LIGetty Images

It was La Roja against Cristiano, and both were magnificent.

Twice he hit us where it hurt in the first half - winning and converting an early penalty, before taking full advantage of David de Gea's nerves - but Fernando Hierro's men responded with a show of heart that gave me goosebumps in the Sochi stands.

However, when you're facing Cristiano, the best player in the world, victory is never safe until the final whistle blows. He it was who earned Portugal's late free-kick on the edge of the area, before pinging it into the top corner with a delicateness of touch that only the greats of the game have in their locker.

Surviving Cristiano in this form is an achievement in itself

Which is why there can be no criticism of Spain. They came up against an imperious showing from the Ballon d'Or holder, and survived to tell the tale. So when all's said and done, we'll happily take what could well prove to be a big point.