The beauty of Portugal's 'beast'

Described as a "monster" by his own coach in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup, 39-year-old Pepe is the gift that just keeps on giving for Fernando Santos and Portugal. 

All the talk was focused on Ronaldo dropping to the bench for the Selecao prior to their staggering 6-1 win over Switzerland last night, and afterwards the headlines were understandably dominated by CR7's replacement Gonzalo Ramos bagging a stupendous hat-trick.

This article aims to briefly direct the limelight elsewhere. 

As it turned out, Portugal didn't miss Ronaldo's goals, but they could well have struggled without his experience had it not been for the towering display of the grizzled veteran at the heart of their defence. 

Switzerland's Breel Embolo referred to Pepe as a "fine wine" on the eve of last night's drubbing, and that observation was far more accurate than the centre-forward's shooting at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. 

Actually, that's unfair - given that Pepe and the Portuguese backline didn't afford Embolo a single shot during a miserable and humbling night for "La Nati".

Meanwhile, Pepe had two efforts on goal himself: scoring Portugal's all-important second goal with a thumping header from a corner - in the process becoming the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout game. 

He may no longer be a Galactico at Real Madrid, but ask any Porto fan about the form, class and consistency of Pepe since he rejoined the "Dragões" five seasons ago and the response will be categoric: he's been a rock. 

Aside from the moths, and Ronaldo jumping up and down on the touchline, one of the enduring images from Portugal's historic Euro 2016 final win over France at the Parc des Prince was of Pepe heading away anything that moved during the final seconds of the game. 

That Euro 2016 win effectively underlined that Portugal can win without Ronaldo - perhaps the more pertinent question after last night's question is: just how critical to their 2022 World Cup hopes is the Selecao´s other elder statesman?

39 - Portugal defender Pepe is now the oldest ever player to score in a knockout stage game at the #FIFAWorldCup (39 years & 283 days old). Appetite. pic.twitter.com/jHpufdLLIF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2022