Spain centre-back Gerard Pique claimed that Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo "has a habit of throwing himself to the ground" following Friday's pulsating 2018 World Cup clash between the Iberian rivals.

Ronaldo netted a spectacular hat-trick - including an 88th-minute free kick to level the scores at 3-3 - as Portugal picked up a point in their Group B clash in Sochi.

The Real Madrid forward had also sent Portugal ahead with a penalty in the fourth minute, and Pique has seemingly had a dig at Ronaldo for going down under minimal contact from his club teammate Nacho inside the box.

"We had more chances, they had three shots on goal, and scored three goals. Matches go a certain way and you have to face up to it," Pique told reporters.

"To see yourself in the first game of a World Cup go behind to a penalty after two minutes, you have to have a good feeling after how the game went. Ronaldo has a habit of throwing himself to the ground."

Next up for Portugal is a clash with Morocco on Wednesday, while Spain will take on Iran.