Dec 11: Relegated to the role of substitute by his country after arguing with his coach, Ronaldo's turbulent tournament never looked likely to have a happy ending - but his tears after Portugal's quarter-final exit turned out to be an apt summary of his current situation.
A shock defeat by Morocco means the 37-year-old is still without a World Cup winner's medal - the only major honour to elude him - and he is currently a global icon without a club to call home after his angry departure from Manchester United last month.
People were already wondering where he will play his club football next and, while the Portuguese public still adore him, questions over his future with his country will surely follow.
A goal, an outburst and then dropped
Ronaldo left United just before the World Cup started, but his time in Qatar actually began well enough.
The way he won a controversial penalty in Portugal's first group game against Ghana was described as "total genius" by Fifa, and he converted it to become the first man to score at five World Cups.
Things went downhill fairly swiftly after that, however, and he did not manage a goal in his next two starts before falling out with boss Fernando Santos for his outburst after being substituted against South Korea.
Dropped against Switzerland in the last-16 - the first time since 2008 he had not begun a major tournament game - his young replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick and Ronaldo was suddenly the superstar who was only a sub.
That was the way he was used against Morocco too, although he was given most of the second half to make an impact, coming on in the 51st minute with his side 1-0 down.
His appearance alone meant he managed to reach another landmark - his 196th international cap equalled the men's record held by Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa - but he could not mark it with the kind of special moment he has produced so often down the years.
Ronaldo already held the record for most men's international goals, with 118, but he never looked likely to add to that tally against brilliantly organised opposition.
Willing but no end product
Ronaldo managed only 10 touches in total and it took until the 91st minute for him to manage a shot, which did not have the power or direction to beat Morocco keeper Bono.
While Ronaldo was always willing and waiting for the right ball into the box, it never came.
When Rafael Leao's 97th-minute cross flew over his head before being headed agonisingly wide by Pepe, Ronaldo sank to his knees in the six-yard box and, with his head in his hands, seemed to know his time was up.
When the final whistle came moments later, he shook hands with a couple of opponents, then walked straight off the pitch with only the company of a cameraman and - very briefly - a fan who had evaded security in search of an ill-timed, and unsuccessful, selfie request.
Ronaldo got as far as the tunnel before his emotions got the better of him, but his tears as he left this tournament will be how his World Cup will be best remembered, as well as his row with his coach.
Santos played down their rift afterwards, saying: "I do not think what happened to Cristiano, with the criticism, had any impact on the game. We are a united team.
"If we take two people that were the most upset about the game, it was Ronaldo and myself. That is part of the job for the coach and player."
Benched, but far from unwanted
United they may be, but Portugal are heading home - after plenty of discussion about whether they are a better team without their fading talisman.
New eras and fresh starts regularly follow surprise defeats for any team at major finals but, whether Santos stays or goes as national boss, they are unlikely to discard Ronaldo now.
He still has plenty of credit in the bank with his country after inspiring the Euro 2016 victory, their first triumph at a major tournament.
The number of Portugal fans wearing 'Ronaldo 7' shirts outside Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday were a sign that they have not forgotten his past glories despite what has happened in the last couple of weeks.
Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, spoke for many of them with an emotional message on Instagram after the Morocco defeat.
She began: "When my grandchildren ask me to talk about struggle, honour, glory, work, dedication, obstacles, human evil in exchange for envy, when they ask me to talk about trophies, goals, prizes, records of an unprecedented legacy, I am going to talk about my brother, their uncle."
And she concluded: "I'll tell you about the empire he built, I'll tell you about his strength, what he promised and fulfilled, I'll tell you about his character, I'll tell you that he never gave up even when they had already dug his grave. I'm going to show the film, the real film, of their uncle's life."
We still don't know how that film will end, but an appearance at a sixth World Cup would be quite a plot twist.
He will be 41 by the time the next global tournament comes around - but, if he wants it, there is surely the chance of some redemption at Euro 2024.
Who his employers might be by then is another matter entirely.
A number of clubs are interested in signing Ronaldo when the transfer window opens on 1 January, including Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, who made him a huge offer last week.
The Middle East has been far from a happy hunting ground for him at this tournament - but it might well be the place we see him in action next.
-France were the first team to progress, while Qatar and Canada are out
-Brazil and Portugal have both qualified after their second fixtures
-These calculations will be updated after every match
Who needs what to make it through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™? And who could soon be on their way home?
With Matchday 2 now complete, FIFA+ has analysed all the key scenarios going forward.
Group A
Ecuador-Senegal (29 November, 18:00 local time) Netherlands-Qatar (29 November, 18:00 local time)
Netherlands need to win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.
Ecuador need to win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to qualify if they lose and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Senegal need to win to qualify but remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Qatar are eliminated.
Group B
Wales-England (29 November, 22:00 local time) IR Iran-USA (29 November, 22:00 local time)
England will qualify with a win or draw. Depending on goal difference, the Three Lions could also make it through in defeat.
Wales must win to have any chance of progressing.
IR Iran are guaranteed to progress if they beat USA.
A draw will also take the Iranians through provided Wales do not beat England (in which case goal difference will come into play).
For USA, it's simple: win and they are through. Lose or draw and they will be heading home.
Group C
Saudi Arabia v Mexico (30 November, 22:00 local time) Poland v Argentina (30 November, 22:00 local time)
Poland will be through with a win or a draw, but would be knocked out by a defeat coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory. If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia draw, the two teams will have to be separated by goal difference. If Poland lose and Mexico win, their fate will also be decided on goal difference.
Argentina must win to be sure of progressing, while a draw would be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw. However, a draw coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory would see La Albiceleste knocked out, and a draw coupled with a Mexico win takes the group to goal difference. Argentina are out if they lose.
Saudi Arabia will reach the Round of 16 if they win. A draw would be enough if Poland defeat Argentina, but if both matches are tied, they will go out. Should Argentina defeat Poland and Saudi Arabia draw, progress will be decided on goal difference between the European and Middle East sides. Defeat would see them knocked out.
Mexico must win to have any chance of staying in the competition. They will be sure to go through if Poland win. If they win and Argentina and Poland draw, it will come down to goal difference with Argentina. Should Argentina win, goal difference will be required to separate Mexico and Poland.
Group D
Tunisia-France (30 November, 18:00 local time) Australia-Denmark (30 November, 18:00 local time)
France are already qualified and will top the group unless they lose to Tunisia and Australia beat Denmark, which would leave them tied on six points with the Socceroos.
Victory will see Australia qualify, while a draw would be enough unless Tunisia beat France, which would see the North African side go through on goal difference.
Denmark must win against Australia and, if they do so, will be certain to qualify unless Tunisia beat France, which would leave them tied on four points with the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia must beat France and hope Denmark avoid defeat by Australia to be in contention to qualify.
Group E
Costa Rica-Germany (1 December, 22:00 local time) Japan-Spain (1 December, 22:00 local time)
Spain will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win or a draw. Defeat to Japan will leave them relying on their currently superior goal difference to progress, unless Costa Rica beat Germany, in which case Luis Enrique’s side will be out.
Japan can go through with victory against Spain, while a draw, coupled with deadlock in the Costa Rica v Germany clash, will ensure they progress. They will go out if they are beaten by Spain, or if the match ends in a draw and Costa Rica triumph against Germany. Goal difference will be required to decide their fate if they draw and Germany are victorious.
Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by defeating Germany. A draw for Luis Fernando Suarez’s side would also guarantee a spot in the next phase if Spain overcome Japan, but if the current group leaders are beaten then goal difference comes into play. A draw in both games or a defeat for Costa Rica puts them out.
Germany must pick up three points to stay in contention. Victory over Costa Rica coupled with a win for Spain against Japan will see them qualify. A draw between Luis Enrique’s side and the Samurai Blue, or a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference. All other results would see Hansi Flick’s men out of the competition.
Group F
Canada-Morocco (1 December, 18:00 local time) Croatia-Belgium (1 December, 18:00 local time)
Croatia are through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing eliminated Canada to overcome Morocco, in which case goal difference would be required to separate Zlatko Dalic's side from the Atlas Lions.
Morocco are through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing Belgium to overcome Croatia, in which case goal difference would be required to determine if they or the 2018 runners-up progress to the last 16.
Belgium will qualify for the Round of 16 with victory over Croatia. Defeat will see them knocked out. A draw will only be enough if Morocco are beaten by Canada, with goal difference then set to determine where Roberto Martinez’s side and Walid Regragui’s outfit finish in Group F.
Canada are already eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures.
Group G
Serbia-Switzerland (2 December, 22:00 local time) Cameroon-Brazil (2 December, 22:00 local time)
Brazil are already through and will finish top of the group if they draw or win. If Brazil lose and Switzerland win, top spot will be decided by goal difference.
Switzerland will be out if they are beaten by Serbia, but through with a win. Should they take all three points, goal difference would decide top spot of the group if Brazil lose against Cameroon. If Switzerland draw they would be through if Brazil win or draw. But if Cameroon beat Brazil and the Swiss take a point, then second place will be decided by goal difference.
Serbia and Cameroon both need to win to still have a chance to progress. If both win then second place between the two would be decided by goal difference.
Group H
Ghana-Uruguay (2 December, 18:00 local time) Korea Republic-Portugal (2 December, 18:00 local time)
Portugal are already through and can secure top spot with a draw or a win against Korea Republic.
Ghana can progress with a win against Uruguay. If they draw they would go through if Korea Republic do not beat Portugal. If the Asian side win then second place would be decided by goal difference between them and Ghana.
Uruguay and Korea Republic will be out if they lose or draw. Uruguay can still go through with a win if Korea Republic don't beat Portugal. If both teams triumph, then second spot will be decided between them by goal difference.
Tiebreaker information
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:
• Step 1:
(a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
(b) superior goal difference in all group matches; (c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
• Step 2:
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows:
(d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
(e) superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
(f) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
(g) highest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained;
(h) drawing of lots by FIFA.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appointed Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat of Switzerland as head of mission and chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which was founded in 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East.
