Spain defender Gerard Pique has slammed Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo for diving in the lead up to his penalty in Friday’s 3-3 draw at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi.
Ronaldo won his side a penalty in the opening minutes when he dribbled towards Madrid teammate Nacho before falling to the ground.
The Barcelona defender said that the reigning Ballon d’Or winner was ‘always diving’ and that it was difficult for Spain to concede at such an early juncture in the match.
“Cristiano is very prone to diving and they award him almost every foul,” Pique told reporters after the match.
“We picked ourselves up again after a lot of problems because starting a World Cup by conceding a penalty in the second minute and going behind is difficult but we scored three goals and we have to be happy with how the game went.”
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Meanwhile Spain forward Diego Costa, who scored twice in the draw, praised Ronaldo for his hat-trick performance and that he wished he was more like the Real Madrid forward.
“There will always be a debate, that’s good as it means there is competition in the team,” Costa said.
“I have to congratulate Cristiano, they criticise him and just look at what he does. People would be better off leaving him alone. I wish I was like him.”
