Perhaps one day the shine of nights like this will begin to fade. Perhaps we will eventually give up asking how or why.
For now, though, let us wonder. And marvel. It takes a special player to bend the arc of football to their will. It takes a phenomenon to do it time and again. Which begs the question: why do we still doubt Cristiano Ronaldo?
Even at 36. Even after he misses an early penalty. Even when a late free-kick is saved. Even when the clock ticks towards 90 and the Republic of Ireland stand on the cusp of a famous win.