Portugal are cruising through to the World Cup quarter-finals as things stand, having powered their way into a two-nil lead against Switzerland.
All of the headlines before the match were about Cristiano Ronaldo, who was left on the bench by Fernando Santos. His selection was justified early on, after Goncalo Ramos drove home a shot past Yann Sommer.
Ramos, 21, had never started a game of international football before, but it was a veteran who would follow up his effort. Unmarked from a corner, Pepe took full advantage just three months shy of his 40th birthday.
39-year-old Pepe becomes the oldest men's player to score in the Knockout Stage at the FIFA World Cup 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/sjyKj6ETpx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 6, 2022
BRUNO FERNANDES ASSIST AND PEPE GOAL
pic.twitter.com/EQ0vnY6Jgw— AB (@AbsoluteBruno) December 6, 2022
Pepe becomes the second oldest scorer at a World Cup with his first international goals for over 4 years!! 🇵🇹
40 years old in 3 months and he's still getting on the scoresheet in the big games… 👀#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ikhXkgrkeE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 6, 2022
His towering header puts Portugal in a commanding lead. They know their opponents will be Morocco should they make it through to the semi-finals, following their surprise victory over Spain.
The winner of that quarter-final will face one of France or England, quickly becoming favourites to win the entire tournament. Portugal will like their chances against any opposition though.
