Hierro laments Ronaldo brilliance but lauds Spain's personality

Fernando Hierro praised Cristiano Ronaldo's talent at the same time as drawing positive conclusions from Spain's World Cup-opening 3-3 draw with Portugal on Friday. 

For the Spain coach, his team did everything to win the game, but were denied by a player who can make the difference when he's in form. And this was one of those games. 

Hierro enjoyed his team's reaction to a difficult week as well to some difficult moments in the game, which he feels is a sign of maturity ahead of what he hopes will be a long stay in Spain. 

And he felt the result would have been different without Ronaldo on the pitch: "The assessment has to be positive if we think that we were twice behind and were able to turn things around. But when there's a player that's capable of doing what Cristiano's done..." 

Hierro lamented that "when we've got outselves in front that goal arrives from a free-kick." However, the coach remains convinced that "we took an important step forward going into our next two games. I'm sure that the way we came back in this game will give us confidence." 

Ronaldo twice gave Portugal the lead, once after Nacho gave away a penalty and later when David de Gea made a mistake, fumbling his shot over the line. 

"We overcame all types of adversity," Hierro continued. "The team fought, showed personality and didn't stop believing in what we said before the game. That makes me feel optimistic for the future." 

Diego Costa cancelled out Ronaldo's first two goals before a brilliant Nacho goal gave Spain the lead, only for Ronaldo to steal the show when he completed his hat-trick with minutes to go. 

On the performance of Costa, who won the race to start as La Roja's No.2, Hierro said: "Diego has been training really well since he joined up with us. I am satisfied with him, and with all my players."