June 15 (UPI) — Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea misplayed a shot from Cristiano Ronaldo, allowing Portugal to go up 2-1 in the first half of a World Cup clash Friday in Sochi, Russia.
Portugal held the one-goal advantage through the halftime whistle at Fisht Stadium in the Group B opener.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner struck in the 44th minute. Goncalo Guedes brought down the ball at the top of the box before pushing it on to Ronaldo. The Real Madrid superstar took a big hack with his left boot, sending a strike directly at the Manchester United net minder.
De Gea appeared as though he was about to wrap up an easy save, but the ball bounced off his body and slipped into the net to his right.
Ronaldo also got the first goal of the game, making a penalty try against De Gea in the fourth minute. Diego Costa equalized for Spain in the 24th minute.
Portugal battles Morocco in another Group B match at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Spain faces Iran in Group B at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia.
Ronaldo scored just once in three matches during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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