It may have taken him three games and 24 shots but finally the hero Portugal craved has arrived. And just in time.
The Real Madrid man has evolved into a predatory poacher and he proved as much by dragging his jittery nation through to the last-16.
He reprised his role as the frustrated figure when Hungary led but then played the part of provider with a sublime assist for Nani’s equaliser.
A chaotic defence conceded again but the self-anointed world’s best lived up to that billing with his first of this Euros, a beautiful back-heeled finish.
After falling behind for a third time, his powerful header dragged his team from the brink of an exit.