World Cup 2018: 10 Most Dramatic Moments From The Group Stage

In terms of individual excellence, Cristiano Ronaldo's performance against Spain in Portugal's opening group game was easily the best of the 2018 World Cup group stage. The Portuguese star took hold of the game with both hands, scoring an outstanding hat-trick to cancel out a trio of Spanish strikes and earn his side a valuable point.

Ronaldo won and scored a penalty to get his game going, adding a second before half-time. In spite of his efforts, Spain got back into the game and were leading 3-2 for much of the second half. Then, just near the end of play, Spanish defender Gerard Piqué brought Ronaldo down near the edge of the box. The Real Madrid star braced himself, taking those trademark deep breaths and focusing on his target before sending a sublime strike past the wall and into the top right corner.

In doing so, he not only earned his side a fantastic draw and capped off a stellar individual showing, he also become one of only four players to score at four different World Cups and also became the oldest scorer of a World Cup hat-trick.