Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against the Spanish team in their opening FIFA World Cup 2018 match that was played on Friday, June 15. The Portuguese captain ran rampant on the Spanish side in the Group B match as he went on to score three goals in the night, which also happened to be the first hat-trick of 2018 FIFA World Cup!

Right from the start, the winger was quite aggressive in his approach. He fouled in the fourth minute of the game and was given awarded a penalty. The Portuguese striker scored a goal and took his international tally of goals to 82 then. The second goal scored by Ronaldo was a fiercely-hit shot, which the Spanish goal-keeper couldn’t hold, as it deflected and found its way in the goal post.

The third and the final goal of the night by Cristiano Ronaldo put all doubts and critics to rest. The missile free-kick, taken just outside the box, found the corner of the goal, much to the disappointment of the Spanish side.

Watch video of Cristiano Ronaldo’ hat-trick against Spain in FIFA World Cup 2018:

It was a stupendous display of football by the 33-year-old, who single-handedly managed to see his side home and ensure that they do not end up on the losing side. After the match, Cristiano Ronaldo said, “I am very happy, it's a nice personal record to have, one more in my career.”  With three goals in the night, Ronaldo has now scored a total of 84 goals for his national team – the most in the active players' list. Cristiano Ronaldo Agrees to Serve Two Years in Prison and Pay 18.8 Million Euro in Spanish Tax Fraud Case! Will Portuguese Captain Go to Jail?

The number of goals scored saw him become one of the only four players to score in four World Cups. The other three players being Brazilian Pele and German duo of Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose. The hat-trick against Spain in their tournament opener only emphasises the fact that why he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2018 05:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).