Cristiano Ronaldo used the FIFA World Cup 2018 to show everyone he's the GOAT. Ronaldo rubbed his chin after scoring minutes into Portugal's opener against Spain, implying he is the Greatest of All Time. Then he scored two more goals, including a perfectly placed 88th-minute free kick that gave his team a 3-3 draw Friday.

Spain, the 2010 World Cup champion, dominated much of the match but were unable to contain Ronaldo.

As Ronaldo returned to midfield for the restart, he and Fernandez appeared to exchange words, and the Portuguese star smiled.

"It's always great to have somebody wonderful playing like that," Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. "I'm glad he's Portuguese."

Portugal threatened on counterattacks as Spain struggled to get near Rui Patricio's goal, but a great long pass by Sergio Busquets allowed Costa to even the match. The striker collided with Pepe and used several neat moves to clear other defenders before firing a low shot into the corner from inside the area.

Portugal loudly complained Costa had fouled Pepe, and replays showed there was contact by the Spaniard's arm with Pepe's body. Referee Gianluca Rocchi allowed the play to continue.

Portugal wanted the play to be reviewed, and Rocchi at one point put a hand to his ear, apparently indicating the assistant referees didn't see a clear error.

Goal-line technology came into play a few moments later when a Francisco "Isco" Alarcon's shot struck the crossbar and dropped straight down on the goal line. After Isco complained, Rocchi pointed to his watch, which receives goal confirmations.

Ronaldo's second goal came after a blunder by De Gea, who let the ball bounce off his hands and into the net after a routine shot from outside the area just before halftime.

Busquets and Costa combined for Spain's equalizer in the 55th. After a cross by Andres Iniesta, Busquets headed the ball back across the area and Costa touched it into the open net.

Three minutes later, Fernandez redeemed himself for the penalty on Ronaldo with a streaking shot after a ball cleared by the defense got deflected toward him. The ball struck the post before going into the goal.

GROUP DYNAMICS

The teams arrived in Russia as favorites to share first and second in the group, but the draw leaves them two points behind Iran, which defeated Morocco 1-0 earlier Friday.

Spain, trying to rebound from disappointing eliminations at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship, will next face Iran, while Portugal plays Morocco.

KEY TO SUCCESS

Portugal: The team has been able to succeed recently because of its steady defense, but this time it was not able to hold on to its early leads despite twice getting ahead with goals by Ronaldo. It was the star striker who saved the team from defeat with his late equalizer.

Spain: The Spanish looked lost after conceding the early goal to Ronaldo, but Costa's strike helped Hierro's team settle down and even the match.

Spain struggled to contain Portugal's counterattacks, but it showed it remained a solid team despite Lopetegui's absence.