Andriy Shevchenko had not scored twice in an international since November 2004, but the Ukraine international picked Euro 2012 as a fitting moment for the crowning finale to a glittering career.
The national icon's double against Sweden came within 10 minutes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic giving Sweden the lead in Kiev on Monday night and sent Zhovto-Blakytni to the top of Group D.
Having scored twice at the 2006 World Cup when Ukraine reached the quarter-finals, the 35-year-old, dispelled lingering qualms over his ego to regain any faith which had been lost amongst the national side's supporters.
Shevchenko has been playing for the club where it all began - Dynamo Kiev - the last three years in preparation for these finals. His stubborn refusal to give in and selfish desire to play on home turf at his second major international finals has been patent despite his star fading six years ago.
And despite the blemish of that Chelsea tenure on his CV and a fruitless second spell at AC Milan, he can retire happy, despite how mawkish his denouement will be reported in his homeland.
BEST OF SHEVA
Becoming the Champions League's record goalscorer: