15 June - This was the game when Russia 2018 came alive. Spain 3, Portugal 3. The Iberian Derby. Spain conceding as many goals in one match as they did throughout their unbeaten qualifying campaign. Some world-class performances, some shoddy displays. And Cristiano Ronaldo.
CR7 had a glint in his eye from kick-off that promised he meant business. Indeed, within four minutes he had won, then converted, a penalty to put Portugal ahead.
Spain slowly gained in ascendancy following Diego Costa's fine equaliser, but again Ronaldo restored Portugal's lead - his firmly struck shot squirming out of the normally reliable David de Gea's hands and into the back of the net.
In the second half, the game seemed to be slipping away from Portugal as first Costa scored again following a well-worked free-kick before Nacho - the man who had conceded the first-half penalty - redeemed himself with an irresistible half-volley inside the post from distance.
But that man Ronaldo was not to be denied. His 88th-minute free-kick was perfect, curling round the wall, inside the post and dipping under the crossbar. There was nothing De Gea could do this time.
It was Ronaldo's 51st career hat-trick, and the 51st hat-trick in World Cup finals history. As Ronaldo signed off with a flourish, the promise of more, much more to come, hung in the night air.