The buildup to the match was defined by unprecedented drama off the pitch:

The match itself became a showcase for , who delivered a legendary hat-trick: Group B's heavyweight showdown as Ronaldo faces Ramos

: Just two days before their opening match, Spain sensationally sacked their manager, Julen Lopetegui , after it was revealed he had accepted the Real Madrid job without informing the federation.

The clash between Portugal and Spain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup is widely regarded as one of the greatest group-stage matches in football history. Fri, Jun 15 Chaos Before the Whistle

was hastily appointed to lead a squad of favorites whose preparation had been thrown into total disarray. A Masterclass from Cristiano Ronaldo