After their first goal, the Portuguese players sprinted to the corner flag to celebrate. In the middle of the merriment, as usual, stood Cristiano Ronaldo, though he was not the one who scored.
He was not even in the starting lineup for Portugal. Ronaldo, elite of the elite, began the knockout-stage match against Switzerland on the bench, sent there for insubordination, meager play or, perhaps, a combination of both.
In his place started Gonçalo Ramos, who on his first touch of consequence sent a left-footed wonder strike inside the near post. Portugal added another, on a thunderous header by Pepe in the 33rd minute, and Ronaldo ran over to congratulate him after that one, too.