FIFA World Cup 2018, Portugal vs Spain, live: Ronaldo, Costa score brace

Spain, who were rocked by the sudden dismissal of head coach Julen Lopetegui, will look to put their problems in the past when they face Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in their opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Sochi on Friday. Spain, who came into the tournament with a 20-game unbeaten run, have a new coach in Fernando Hierro and skipper Sergio Ramos believes that the situation will not affect his team’s performance. On the other hand, European champions Portugal will be banking on their star performer - Cristiano Ronaldo - to guide them to victory. Follow live score and updates of Portugal vs Spain, FIFA World Cup 2018 here.

12:56 AM IST: 20 mins to go now. Can Spain kill the game off with another goal or will Portugal level things?

12:52 AM IST: The game is continuing to ebb and flow very nicely. Another goal isn’t out of the question.

12:45 AM IST: GOAAAAL! NACHO SCORES AN ABSOLUTE BELTER FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX TO PUT SPAIN AHEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME!

12:42 AM IST: GOAAAAL! DIEGO COSTA IS AT IT AGAIN! This time he finishes from close range.

12:36 AM IST: Spain continue to dominate possession but Portugal are holding strong for now.

12:30 AM IST: Second half underway now. Can Spain find a way back into this game?

12:18 AM IST: Half-time: Portugal 2-1 Spain. Ronaldo’s brace either side of a Diego Costa goal has Portugal ahead going into the break.

12:15 AM IST: GOAAAL! Ronaldo puts Portugal ahead again! Oh De Gea, what have you done?! Routine shot from Ronaldo somehow goes under the goalkeeper’s legs.

12:12 AM IST: Costa and Pepe are now engaging in physical warfare. The latter’s a bit lucky not to go into the book this time.

12:07 AM IST: With a little less than 10 minutes left in this half, both sides have very different objectives. Spain are looking for another goal while Portugal are hoping for the waves of attacks to eventually fade away.

12:02 AM IST: Portugal are sitting deep. That strategy was working just fine before they conceded but now Spain are looking menacing.

11:57 PM IST: That goal has reinvigorated Spain and they’re now attacking with a renewed purpose.

11:54 PM IST: GOAAAL! Diego Costa levels the game for Spain!

11:52 PM IST: Spain look very vulnerable on the counter attack. Portugal look likely to score every time they break at pace.

11:48 PM IST: SergioBusquets the first player to go into the referee’s book tonight. Suspect he won’t be the last...

11:46 PM IST: Portugal, meanwhile, are happy to give up the lion’s share of the possession to Spain. This is a strategy that worked well for them in the Euro 2016.

11:43 PM IST: Spain are growing into the game now. They’re keeping the ball well enough; the key will now be to do something productive with it.

11:40 PM IST: Spain are beginning to find their rhythm. A long ball into the box lands awkwardly and David Silva manages to get a shot away but it sails over the bar.

11:38 PM IST: Not the start Spain would have wanted. Horrible foul to concede so early in the game and Portugal are ahead. All to do now for the 2010 champions.

11:35 PM IST: GOAAAL! RONALDO SCORES AND PUTS PORTUGAL AHEAD!

11:33 PM IST: PENALTY TO PORTUGAL!

11:30 PM IST: The referee blows his whistle and we are underway!

11:25 PM IST: The players have emerged from the tunnel onto the field. Clearly a big-game feel in the stadium today.

11:15 PM IST: Ronaldo will no doubt be the key man for Portugal but keep an eye on Bernado Silva as well. As for Spain? Their squad is full of threats, although the fact that most of them prefer operating in central areas might see them employ a turgid approach in the final third.

11:10 PM IST: Both teams putting out very strong starting XI’s. Hopefully the match does not disappoint; big games in the World Cup tend to be more tactical affairs! 

11:00 PM IST: Spain starting XI: David De Gea; Nacho Fernandez, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Koke; David Silva, Isco, Diego Costa.

Portugal starting XI: Rui Patricio; Cedric Soares, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerrero; Joao Moutinho, Bruno Fernandes, Bernado Silva, Goncalo Guedes; Cristiano Ronaldo.

10:45 PM IST: Hello and welcome to HT’s live coverage of the Group B match between Portugal and Spain!

The Spanish team had been tipped as one of the favourites to win the trophy for a second time after a two-year unbeaten run under Lopetegui. But the snap decision by the Spanish Football Federation to dump Lopetegui, after he announced he would take over at Real Madrid post-tournament, has left the team reeling.

Cristiano Ronaldo has gone on to become his country’s leading scorer with 81 international goals in 150 appearances, but his form in a Portugal shirt has never matched his heroics for Manchester United and Real, and his World Cup scoring record so far is poor with just three goals in three tournaments.