Portugal vs Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was everything you dreamed of and then some for the six-goal thriller delighted fans around the globe with football straight from the top drawer.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his intentions with a sensational hat-trick, but there were plenty of other players who too, deserve recognition for their displays.
Here are The Statesman’s player ratings from a breathtaking encounter at the Fisht Stadium on Friday night:
Portugal
Rui Patricio
Maybe, he could have done more for Costa’s first strike?
Perhaps not since he was unsighted by his own defenders.
Couldn’t really have done much for the second and had a pretty solid game overall.
Rating: 6/10
Cedric Soares
The Southampton fullback was bright and always eager to join in on the attack, even if his crossing let him down at times.
Rating: 6/10
Jose Fonte
Definitely should have done more to hamper Costa for the first equaliser.
Was a tad lucky that the Spaniard didn’t get quality service, else Spain could’ve been out of sight before half-time.
Rating: 6/10
Pepe
Went down too easily when Costa challenged him for the ball. Clearly there wasn’t much contact.
Apart from that, the veteran did an okay job of marking the Spanish forward.
Rating: 5/10
Raphael Guerreiro
Marginally better than his compatriot on the opposite flank, but few of his crosses were actually threatening.
Rating: 6/10
Bernardo Silva
The Manchester City man tried his best, but found the going tough against a well-drilled Spanish defence.
Rating: 6/10
Joao Moutinho
Clearly doesn’t have the legs anymore but his range of passing remains undiminished.
Rating: 7/10
William Carvalho
Effective shield against the Spanish swarm.
Couple of more outings like this and the whole of Europe will be queuing up for his signature again.
Rating: 7/10
Bruno Fernandes
Poor showing, will be lucky to start the next (Morocco) game.
Subbed in the 68th minute.
Rating: 5/10
Goncalo Guedes
Did get an assist for Ronaldo’s second strike, but had a lukewarm game overall.
Missed a relatively easy chance when his strike partner deftly laid it off.
Another player in danger of missing out in the next game.
Rating: 6/10
Cristiano Ronaldo
Man of the Match.
Never in doubt.
Could go on and on about his genius but eventually fall well short.
Rating: 10/10
Substitutes
Joao Mario
Replaced the ineffective Fernandes but didn’t have much luck either.
Rating: 6/10
Ricardo Quaresma
The experienced winger came on with Portugal in each of an equaliser and while it did come, it wasn’t because of the former Chelsea man.
Did attempt an audacious one from distance that had de Gea worried.
Rating: 6/10
Andre Silva
Brought on in the final 10 minutes as Fernando Santos sought to get some extra height in the box, but didn’t get enough chances.
Rating: N/A
Spain
David de Gea
Something about Spanish goalkeepers and opening games at the World Cup.
Considering his pedigree, we can chalk it of as a one-off.
Rating: 4/10
Nacho
Stupid foul gave Portugal a foothold in the tie but his sensational strike more than made amends.
Actually did pretty well defensively.
Rating: 7/10
Sergio Ramos
Couldn’t quite best his club teammate, but a decent showing from the Spanish hardman at the back.
Rating: 6/10
Gerard Pique
Like his central defensive partner, had an alright game.
Which is strange, considering they conceded thrice.
Rating: 6/10
Jordi Alba
Another energetic display from the Barcelona fullback, even if his time-wasting tendencies get on your nerves at times.
Rating: 6/10
Koke
Justified his inclusion ahead of Saul and Thiago by putting in a real shift.
Rating: 7/10
Sergio Busquets
Got cautioned for a dangerous tackle early on and didn’t quite have the impact he would have wanted.
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Did get the assist for Costa’s second.
Rating: 6/10
David Silva
Like the other Silva, looked bright and enterprising, but had little to show for it.
Lovely free-kick to set up Costa for the second goal though.
Rating: 6/10
Andres Iniesta
He’s clearly not the player he once was, but almost managed to turn the clock back a few times in the tie with those intricate runs.
Rating: 6/10
Isco
Drew plenty of fouls and was seemingly everywhere but eventually trudged off without a goal or an assist.
Rating: 6/10
Diego Costa
Any other day, would have been the MoM.
As it is, the ‘Beast’ could fire Spain to World Cup glory if he keeps this up.
Think of his heyday with Chelsea and you’ll get the picture.
Rating: 8/10
Substitutes
Thiago Alcantara
Replaced the fading Iniesta, but didn’t really have much of an impact in the 20-odd minutes he was on the pitch.
Rating: 6/10
Iago Aspas
The crafty Spaniard struggled to make things click against Pepe and Fonte.
In hindsight, perhaps the wrong decision to bring him on in place of Costa.
Rating: 5/10
Lucas Vazquez
Came on for Silva just before Ronaldo’s leveller.
Rating: N/A