HAMBURG, Germany -- Cristiano Ronaldo stood amongst his teammates, hands on hips, lips pursed, eyes looking out into the Portuguese crowd behind the goal.
Rúben Dias and Nuno Mendes, the warriors who had blunted France star Kylian Mbappé, co-led the applause. Ronaldo joined in and then turned to embrace Pepe, his sidekick in so many battles, the older brother facing his curtain call at 41 years of age. Pepe sobbed, Ronaldo whispered in his ear.
At that moment, Ronaldo looked just like any other of his Portugal teammates, united in disappointment.