Spain defender Gerard Pique criticised Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the hat-trick hero had a habit of throwing himself to the ground.

Ronaldo curled in a stunning 88th-minute free-kick after being fouled by Pique in a thrilling 3-3 draw between the nations at the World Cup on Friday.

The Real Madrid star’s goal was his third – his first coming after he won a penalty – as he led Portugal to a hard-fought point in the Group B clash in Sochi.

READ: De Gea embracing Spanish criticism after Portugal error

But Pique was unhappy with the fouls, saying Ronaldo regularly exaggerated contact.

‘We have had more chances. They had three shots and scored three goals,’ the Barcelona defender said.

‘Games go one way and you have to face it.

‘Finding yourself in the opening game of a World Cup with a penalty against you in the second minute, you have to leave with good feelings after how the match went.

Highlights: Brilliant Ronaldo hat-trick earns thrilling draw

‘Cristiano is prone to throwing himself.’

Spain dominated the majority of the contest, taking a 3-2 lead thanks to a Diego Costa brace and Nacho Fernandez’s fine strike, before Ronaldo’s late heroics.

But Fernando Hierro’s men were left to rue a mistake by goalkeeper David de Gea, who fumbled in a straightforward Ronaldo strike late in the first half.

READ MORE: Ronaldo nets hat-trick in draw against Spain

However, Pique defended his team-mate, saying: ‘He has been doing this for many years and we all face it, I’m sure that in important moments he will be how he has always been.

‘A lack of confidence? Not at all, it’s what you want to suggest. In the dressing room it’s clear that David is our goalkeeper, he’s shown it for years.’