Portugal vs Spain: Five things we learned
Without disrespecting Morocco and Iran, who faced off in Group B’s other clash, the highlight of this quartet was always going to be the Iberian derby between Spain and Portugal. The other two teams, well, will be just playing for pride and trying to avoid finishing bottom of the pile, and Iran took a major step towards at least sealing third with their narrow win over Morocco earlier in the day.
When this match was announced once the groups were announced, fans couldn’t help but rub their hands in anticipation.
Cristiano Ronaldo. Sergio Ramos. David de Gea. Andres Iniesta. David Silva. Sergio Busquets. And let’s not forget Diego Costa and Bernardo Silva, among others. The number of stars on display in Friday evening’s encounter was simply astounding, and so rightfully it deserved to be one of the most anticipated group stage clashes at this summer’s affair.
Predictably, it didn’t disappoint, as viewers were entertained from start to finish. Here are five things that we learned from Friday’s end-to-end, pulsating clash between neighboring nations Portugal and Spain.
1. The bigger the occasion, the bigger the player
Cristiano Ronaldo again proved that the biggest the occasion, the more he basks in the glow. Having already won the EURO 2016 title with Portugal, he’s certainly hoping to add a World Cup to that collection. Whilst it will be an obviously tougher proposition, the 33-year-old, who is likely playing in his last World Cup will want to go out with a bang, and he did just that by netting an impressive hat-trick to snatch a vital point in what is their most difficult group stage game.
2. Never discount the fury of La Furia Roja
1-0 down inside the first five minutes of a crunch group stage game will have knocked the wind out of most teams’ sails. Especially if they’ve had to see their prior manager axed just 48 hours prior.
Not Spain. Diego Costa came up big to net a vital brace to first equalize and then give them a go-ahead goal. And Nacho, who was the culprit as his foul on Cristiano Ronaldo gave away that early spot-kick redeemed himself by putting Spain 3-2 up. While Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick nullified that result, it showed that the team still do have their fighting spirit despite the drama behind the scenes, and Iran, despite being the current group leaders, certainly will be very concerned about their chances after seeing this game.
3. It’s going to be a very close battle for first spot
That was pretty obvious before the tournament, but it didn’t prevent some from thinking that possibly, Morocco could sneak in and deny Portugal a spot in the round of 16. Well, Morocco put on a rather disappointing showing against an Iran side they were heavily backed to beat, and with Cristiano Ronaldo in the form he is in right now, they’ll be in big trouble when they meet him and his teammates in just five days’ time.
Spain, meanwhile, aren’t without their flaws – David de Gea’s blunder to conceded the second is evidence of that – but should be able to see off Iran, who only beat Morocco thanks to an own goal without much fuss. Then it’s on to the final game for them against Morocco, whilst Portugal face Iran in what will be vital in deciding who finishes this group as top and who settles for runners’ up.
4. Still, Spain do need some serious sorting out…
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to net a hat-trick against Spain at a World Cup, and he’ll certainly be adding more to that tally before this group stage campaign is over. De Gea couldn’t do much about the penalty, but the second goal was another matter entirely. Then there was Gerard Pique’s stupid shove on the Real Madrid ace – a needless foul that eventually resulted in Portugal grabbing an equalizer.
Fortunately for them, their next two opponents will bean easier task, but they will need to sort themselves out defensively as they head into the knockout rounds. In the round of 16, they could take on Uruguay, if they finish in second, but if they finish in first, they could face a more favorable draw in the form of Russia or Egypt. So first spot will be the order of the day!
5. …whilst this will help boost Portugal’s confidence
Spain are by far Portugal’s toughest opponent, and they managed to secure a point against them. That will obviously do wonders for Portugal’s confidence as Morocco and Iran are nowhere near the level of La Furia Roja, but starting off their tournament in this vein of form certainly has set then off in the right direction. They’ve struggled at past World Cups, but this kind of performance will definitely put them in great position not just to qualify for the round of 16, but even top their quartet. With them taking on the top two sides in Group A, a win in Group B will pit them against Egypt or Russia – two teams who obviously will struggle to contain them – and just like that, they’re into the quarter-finals.
