Ronaldo’s celebration capped a thrilling back-and-forth game that had seen Portugal take a lead, give it up, grab it back, and then lose it once again on a goal by Costa and a rocket shot by the Real Madrid defender Nacho. Costa’s first goal, a dancing effort in the penalty area in the 24th minute, had negated Ronaldo’s early penalty — awarded for what some thought was a soft foul against Nacho.





But it was Ronaldo, one of the world’s greatest players, who won the day even as his team had to settle for a tie. He earned the penalty, converted it, scored the second and then notched the equalizer when all seemed lost.





Ronaldo produced one of the most remarkable individual performances in World Cup history. Portugal although being the European Champion was not been considered much as a contender for the World Cup. This might just be an oversight.





Portugal and Spain are both expected to advance out of Group B, which also includes Iran and Morocco. Those two teams played an uninspiring game in St. Petersburg on Friday that was won by the Iranians, 1-0, in its dying seconds.

Spain will be annoyed with the draw after they dominated so much in the game, but when the dust settles they will reflect pride on a superb performance. Isco was majestic, Nacho scored the goal of his life, and Diego Costa begged a couple of important goals.It was a six goals thrilling game. Ronaldo, who had scored in the fourth minute of the game from the penalty spot and on an error by Spain goalkeeper David De Gea in the 44th, saved the day for Portugal scoring a superb free-kick goal in the 87th minute. Ronaldo curled a picture-perfect shot around the edge of the Spanish wall and inside De Gea's top right corner.