Fernando Hierro says he wouldn’t trade any of his players for Cristiano Ronaldo even after the Portugal superstar’s dramatic hat trick denied his side three points in a thrilling 3-3 draw in both teams’ Group B opener on Friday.
“I am very proud of my players,” Hierro told reporters after the match. “When you have a player in front of you like Cristiano, things like this can happen. I would not trade even one of them for Cristiano.
“When one has players like these, who collaborate and work hard, life is so much easier. One is grateful when one has folks who are so committed.”
A rip-roaring clash in Sochi saw Ronaldo twice put Portugal in front, Diego Costa twice equalise for Spain, then Nacho Fernandez appear to win it for La Roja with a long-range strike, before Ronaldo completed his hat trick with a 20-yard free kick late on.
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