An explosive start to Russia’s 2018 World Cup was guaranteed when the past two European champions Spain and Portugal were paired together in Friday’s draw to clash on the second day of the tournament.Ronaldo
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will go head-to-head with Real Madrid teammate and Spanish captain Sergio Ramos in the all-Iberian clash in Sochi on the banks of the Black Sea on June 15, before both sides also face Iran and Morocco in Group B.
Whilst in Spain there is fear Ronaldo could come back to bite the hand that has fed him during the past eight years in Madrid, in Portugal the clash was also met with pessimism with a rejuvenated La Roja the side every seeded side wanted to avoid.
“Ronaldo waits for us in Russia,” ran the headline in Spanish sports daily Marca’s digital edition, whilst their Portuguese counterparts A Bola lamented “Spain is the worst side that could have come out of pot two for the national team”.
Both sides of the intense Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry will be well-represented.
Ronaldo waits for us in Russia – Spanish sports daily
