Coach Fernando Santos called up Lille centre back Tiago Djalo (21) to replace the 39-year-old Porto player, with the 2016 European champions also without injured Manchester City defender Ruben Dias.

Portugal play Turkey on Thursday in Porto and, if they win, will next play either Italy or North Macedonia.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates joined the national side’s training camp at Oeiras, near Lisbon on Monday.

Portugal last failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1998, playing in each of the past five editions.

𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙜𝙤! 👊

🏆 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘊𝘶𝘱 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺-𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘴
🇵🇹✖🇹🇷
🗓 5ª feira às 19h45 (PT) pic.twitter.com/Jtn2YCB3AE

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 22, 2022

The post Portugal defender Pepe out of World Cup playoff with Covid appeared first on SportsClub.

Ivory Coast forward Pepe is facing up to a three-match domestic ban following a red card against Leeds, appearing to headbutt Ezgjan Alioski.

The Gunners boss branded Pepe’s behaviour “unacceptable” following Sunday’s goalless draw at Elland Road.

Arteta, though, rejected suggestions the 25-year-old – a £72million signing from Lille during August 2019 – would be frozen out of his plans.

“We have all had disappointing reactions in our playing careers,” the Arsenal manager said ahead of the Europa League tie in Norway, where his team could secure qualification for the knockout stage.

“Obviously we were frustrated because when you play against a team like Leeds for a long time with 10 men, it makes a huge difference,”

“He had a really good reaction, the way he apologised, the way he understood his responsibility and hopefully tomorrow we can see the player that we want to see, and have a good reaction to help his team.”

Arteta added: “No, it is absolutely not (the end of his Arsenal career after the red card). It’s not about that and I don’t like that type of statement.

“I will give Nico my full support all the time. He knows where he has to improve and we all know his qualities.

“He has some responsibility, I have a lot of responsibility, which is to get the best out of him and get the best position for him, the best areas where he can do what he can do with the ball.

“I cannot fault his effort at all. You see the way he strives for the team, the way he’s working, it’s been the best since he’s been at the club.

“But there have been some aspects he can do better in because he has the ability. That’s where I’m going to put the pressure on him to deliver what he can do. To say it’s a threat for him to finish his (Arsenal) career, it is not at all like that.

“He has reacted the right way after that (sending off) and hopefully I can see a player that shows that every week.

“It is in his hands. He is a player I really like, that I know what he can give, and it is completely up to him.”

Arsenal defender David Luiz has travelled to Norway after missing the Leeds game following the birth of his daughter.

However, Bukayo Saka and Willian both picked up injuries at Elland Road, so will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s Premier League home game against Wolves.

Arsenal will secure qualification to the knockout stages of the Europa League with what would be a fourth successive Group B win.

Arteta, though, warned against complacency.

“They made it difficult for us in the first leg and tomorrow on an artificial pitch, it becomes different,” he said.

“Molde are very dominant in the (Norwegian) league obviously and are so used to winning football matches. I expect them to have a real go.

“They were aggressive when they played against us in certain phases of our play, were organised, good on the the counter-attack and set-pieces as well.

“We want to be there, win the game and we know that will give us the qualification.”

The post Pepe will get a shot at redemption in Europa League appeared first on SportsClub.

Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma)

Many Roma fans were angered by the club’s decision to sell Radja Nainggolan to Inter last summer, but the deal is looking more and more disastrous for the Nerazzurri with each passing week. Not only has Nainggolan only played 10 Serie A games and looked a shadow of his former self in most of those, but Zaniolo – a makeweight in the deal taking the Belgian to San Siro – has been a revelation in the Italian capital.

Strong, quick and technically gifted, the 19-year-old’s driving runs through midfield have been a sight to behold this season. Likened to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard by former Inter coach Stefano Vecchi, Zaniolo will be out to show a European audience what he’s capable of against Porto.

Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon)

Lyon may not be the most consistent team on the continent, but they can produce some thrilling football on their day – as Manchester City and PSG have found to their cost already this season. Attackers Nabil Fekir, Memphis Depay and Bertrand Traore may get most of the headlines by virtue of their positions, but the midfield pairing of Houssem Aouar and Ndombele is arguably the strongest area of Bruno Genesio’s team.

A box-to-box midfielder, who excels at both breaking up play and leading attacking transitions, Ndombele’s power and ball-carrying ability could cause real problems for a Barcelona side who have looked vulnerable to the counter-attack at times this season.

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 

Madrid opted against signing a high-profile replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, a decision which looks like an error of judgment in hindsight. There are signs that Santi Solari’s side are beginning to find their feet, though – and that could spell bad news for last-16 opponents Ajax and the rest of this season’s knockout stage qualifiers.

Vinicius has only started 13 games for Madrid since his move from Flamengo, but the early signs are promising. The exhilarating Brazilian forward has been in fine form of late and will now be desperate to impress on the European stage, having only featured twice in the group phase.

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) 

Sancho has been the breakout star of the European season so far, scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists in his first campaign as a regular starter at senior level. BVB are in a tremendous position in the Bundesliga and will make winning their first title since 2012 the priority, but a healthy seven-point lead back home should allow them enough wriggle room to give the Champions League a good go too.

Quick, skilful and impressively mature for a player so young, Sancho will fancy his chances up against either Ben Davies or Danny Rose at Wembley on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 

It might not be the most left-field pick, but Messi is in the midst of another terrific individual season and it will be intriguing to witness his efforts to win a first Champions League crown since 2015. Barcelona’s meek exit at the hands of Roma last season was the third year in a row in which they failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals, but with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich having under-performed so far this term, the Catalans must fancy their chances of going all the way.

Needless to say, Messi will be integral to their challenge. The Argentinian has shown no signs of slowing down in recent months, but given that he’ll be 32 by the time the 2019-20 campaign begins, we should all relish the chance to watch him in action while he’s still at the peak of his powers.

Mattijs de Ligt (Ajax) 

Frenkie de Jong has agreed a deal to join Barcelona in July, but the future of De Ligt – who is, according to some observers, an even more exciting prospect than his Ajax teammate – remains up in the air. Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus and PSG have all been linked with the teenage centre  back, who insists he’s focusing solely on the remainder of Ajax’s season for now.

The Eredivisie outfit haven’t been at this stage of the competition since 2006, and they’ll have plenty of neutrals on their side when they lock horns with Real Madrid in an old-school European tie. If De Ligt can successfully shackle Karim Benzema, Ajax may even be able to produce a mighty shock.

Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) 

Arguably the only man who can challenge David de Gea for the title of world’s best goalkeeper, Oblak is enjoying another fine season at Atletico Madrid. Unlike De Gea, the Slovenian is afforded excellent protection by the defence in front of him, but he’s also played a significant role in the 16 clean sheets the Colchoneros have kept this term.

Both of Atletico’s clashes with Juventus are likely to be tight and low-scoring, which means this tie could be settled by a handful of key moments. With Oblak between the sticks, the Spaniards will fancy their chances of keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and co relatively quiet.

Leandro Paredes (PSG) 

When the draw for the last-16 was made in December, PSG looked to have landed a favourable draw. However, not only are Manchester United a team transformed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the Ligue 1 leaders have been hit by an injury crisis which has claimed Neymar and Marco Verratti among its victims.

Paredes only arrived at the Parc des Princes last month, but will be expected to hit the ground running; a makeshift midfield trio of Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler may be good enough to do the job domestically, but the Champions League is another matter. How Paredes performs in the engine room could play a big part in determining the outcome of this tie.

Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke) 

Having been a regular starter in Mauricio Pochettino’s first season as Tottenham boss, Bentaleb found himself out in the cold in 2015-16. Restricted to just two Premier League starts as the north Londoners challenged for the title, the midfielder sealed a season-long loan move to Schalke the subsequent summer.

Now a permanent member of the squad, Bentaleb has been one of the Royal Blues’ standout performers this term. If Schalke are to cause an upset against Manchester City, they’ll need the Algerian to be at the top of his game.

Pepe (Porto) 

After spending the Christmas period without a club following the termination of his Besiktas contract in December, Pepe returned to Porto – with whom he won two league titles and a Portuguese Cup in the mid-2000s – last month.

Although he turns 36 in two weeks’ time, the rugged centre back has lost none of the hunger and aggression that characterised his 10-year stay at Real Madrid. Many tired of his antics during the latter stages of his career at the Bernabeu, but it will be fascinating to watch Pepe’s individual battle with Roma’s Edin Dzeko in the first knockout round.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Ronaldo’s league-high 17 goals have helped Juventus open up a nine-point lead at the summit of the Serie A standings, but the Portuguese wasn’t acquired with domestic trophies in mind. Instead, Bianconeri fans are hoping that the five-time Champions League winner becomes only the second player after Clarence Seedorf to lift the trophy with three different clubs.

Max Allegri’s men will first have to negotiate a tricky last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, which is precisely the type of match Ronaldo was signed to make the difference in. The pressure will therefore be on the 34-year-old to deliver; thankfully for Juventus, he tends to thrive in those situations.

The post 11 players to watch in the UCL last-16 appeared first on SportsClub.

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The post Highlights: Uruguay vs Portugal appeared first on SportsClub.

Argentina’s hopes of going one step better than a narrow defeat to Germany in the 2014 final were ended by a 4-3 loss to Les Bleus, with Ronaldo quickly following Messi out of the tournament.

Cavani struck in the seventh minute of Saturday’s last-16 tie in Sochi to put Uruguay in control, but Portugal hit back after the interval when Pepe headed home Raphael Guerreiro’s cross.

However, Uruguay soon led again when Cavani curled in a peach of a finish, though his delight soon turned to pain when the striker limped off after appearing to pull a muscle.

Portugal pressed in search of a second equaliser but Bernardo Silva missed their best chance to level, screwing off-target when faced with an open goal after Fernando Muslera dropped a cross into his path.

Oscar Tabarez’s men can now look forward to facing France in Nizhny Novgorod, with Ronaldo and Portugal unable to follow up their surprise success at Euro 2016 two years ago.

Uruguay’s previous five goals at Russia 2018 all came from set-pieces but they opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a goal of the highest quality.

Cavani switched play from right to left with a sweeping pass out to Suarez, who teased his man before delivering a wonderful cross his strike partner crashed home at the back post.

Replays, however, indicated Cavani did not make a clean contact with the finish, appearing to propel the ball over the line via his face, rather than with his forehead as intended.

Suarez was close to adding a second with a 21st-minute free-kick but Rui Patricio was alert to beat away the low strike, before Ronaldo hit the wall with a set-piece opportunity at the other end.

Uruguay had not conceded in any of their six matches in 2018 but nearly 10 hours of resistance came to an end courtesy of a simple set-piece move in the 55th minute.

A short corner was worked to Guerreiro and Uruguay did not respond to the threat, the left-back delivering a superb cross that defender Pepe finished brilliantly with a downward header.

Parity was short-lived, though, as Uruguay reclaimed the lead just seven minutes later

Rodrigo Bentancur collected the ball around 30 yards out and slipped the perfect pass out to Cavani on the left side of the penalty area, allowing Paris Saint-Germain’s record scorer to curl a gorgeous first-time strike across Wolves’ new signing Patricio.

Bernardo Silva ought to have scored a second Portugal equaliser but blazed off-target with the goal gaping after Muslera’s mistake, with Cavani seeming to pick up an injury in the scramble.

Fernando Santos threw on Andre Silva as Portugal tried to find a way through, but defensive duo Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez held a frustrated Ronaldo at bay, the Portugal captain picking up a late booking for dissent as his emotions ran overboard in the closing stages.

Atletico Madrid pair Godin and Gimenez will now do battle against club colleague Antoine Griezmann in Friday’s quarter-final against France.

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Photo: Getty Images

The post Cavani brace downs Ronaldo’s Portugal appeared first on SportsClub.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hat-trick earned Portugal a dramatic 3-3 draw in their Group B opener against Iberian neighbours Spain.

Spain led with three minutes to go after Nacho Fernandez hit a wonderful 25-yard drive but Ronaldo was determined to steal the headlines for himself.

And he ended the day with a World Cup match-ball after hitting an outrageous late free-kick to ensure the spoils were shared in this blockbuster clash in Sochi.

Captain Ronaldo had given Portugal a fourth-minute lead from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Madrid team-mate Nacho, restoring the lead thanks to David de Gea’s horrible mistake.

Diego Costa replied twice to get the 2010 champions level, with Nacho’s beautiful goal having seemingly settled a high-class encounter at the Fisht Stadium.

Ronaldo, though, had other ideas and stepped up to beat De Gea again with a perfect 20-yard free-kick, almost snatching all three points with a stoppage-time header.

ALSO READ: Salah can win Ballon d’OR

Here’s a look at that penalty decision… 👀

🤔 Thoughts?#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/L7ghxl8vLU

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 15, 2018

ALSO READ: I am the best in the world – Neymar

De Gea tries to intimidate Ronaldo… the rest is history pic.twitter.com/Yov3WNEzmx

— Belly Up Betting (@BellyUpBetting) June 15, 2018

ALSO READ: Let’s be better, not bitter

Diego Costa. Simply amazing. Would do anything for him to come back. pic.twitter.com/KWDLd7kicU

— ᴱᴰᴱᴺ (@DareToEden) June 15, 2018

ALSO READ: Jesus not focused on Golden Boot

DE GEA WITH A HUGE ERROR AND #POR LEAD 2-1!#WorldCuppic.twitter.com/UBv016pimR

— TheSportMatrix (@TheSportMatrix) June 15, 2018

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GOAL! Diego Costa equalises for Spain again! #ESP⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ #POR⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ #WorldCup⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ pic.twitter.com/ePJc5QQZjW

— FIFA World Cup (@WorIdCupUpdates) June 15, 2018

ALSO READ: Griezmann backs Pogba for big things

Nacho Fernandez … ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/avwjuFjYL5

— Через пруд (@ATPradio) June 15, 2018

YOU KNEW HE WAS GOING TO

A hat trick for Cristiano Ronaldo against #Spain

UNREAL pic.twitter.com/w6HV0lQoJH

— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyTV) June 15, 2018

Photo: Backpagepix

The post Ronaldo nets 51st career hat-trick against Spain appeared first on SportsClub.

A Russia 2018 berth is up for grabs as European champions and second-placed Portugal welcome unbeaten Group B leaders Switzerland to Lisbon.

Vladimir Petkovic’s side have won all nine of their qualifiers after opening the campaign with a 2-0 victory against Portugal in September last year, when Ronaldo was injured.

But with Ronaldo – who on Monday was again nominated for the Ballon d’Or award he won in 2016 – back fit and firing having scored against Andorra last week, Pepe is confident Portugal are ready to pip the visitors to an automatic qualifying spot, which they will secure with a win.

Ready 🇵🇹🇵🇹👌 pic.twitter.com/pnuP3DMr4Z

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 9, 2017

‘It was our first game and we did not have our most important player, our standard-bearer Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe. “It will be completely different.

‘I know that what Cristiano wants is to be at the World Cup next year.

‘So you can ask him, but I as his friend and knowing his goals, I can guarantee that what Cristiano wants is to help Portugal and win. Win to play in the World Cup.

‘Is there a team in the world that would not be stronger with Cristiano Ronaldo? I don’t think so. With Cristiano, it’s obvious our team is even more valuable.

Pepe continued: ‘Which player does not want to win? A player who doesn’t want to win, it’s better not to be with us. Everyone wants to win, players and the Portuguese people.

‘It will be a difficult game, but if we are together, players and fans will be difficult for the opponent. But we have to do our job and what the coach asks for the team. Let’s face the game with competitive concentration,’ he concluded.

-This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za

The post Pepe warns Switzerland – Cristiano is back appeared first on SportsClub.

Racking up over 300 appearances for Los Blancos, the centre-back bows out, having helped Madrid to a Liga and Champions League double in his final campaign.

Besiktas president Fikret Orman said that the Portugal international would add leadership to the club’s backline as they aim to retain the Super Lig crown they won last season.

Orman added: ‘We have added a very important player with a career and personality that we like.’

Pepe won three league titles, as many Champions League crowns and two Club World Cup medals at Madrid, and has set his sights on more silverware at Besiktas: ‘My goal is to continue to win trophies.

‘I love my job. I love to give my all on the pitch.’

Pepe joins #Beşiktaş! pic.twitter.com/73B3uAya3l

— Beşiktaş JK English (@BesiktasEnglish) July 5, 2017

– This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za

The post Besiktas sign Pepe from Real Madrid appeared first on SportsClub.

The Portugal star appears primed to complete a switch, after Besiktas tweeted a picture of him in a club shirt and declared that negotiations with the 34-year-old had begun.

Besiktas could secure the services of a player with three Champions League winners’ medals, while Pepe also earned a hat-trick of La Liga titles during a decade of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, and had been strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

But Pepe also courted controversy in the famous white strip, with his combative style and occasional theatrics drawing criticism.

When he confirmed his departure from Madrid last month, Pepe wrote a heartfelt Instagram post in which he told the fans: “I will carry your affection in [my] heart”.

Together, we shall be stronger!#Beşiktaş pic.twitter.com/pWTxmTNhxm

— Beşiktaş JK English (@BesiktasEnglish) July 4, 2017

Beşiktaş start transfer negotiations with Pepe!#Beşiktaş pic.twitter.com/cuybY7X5MZ

— Beşiktaş JK English (@BesiktasEnglish) July 4, 2017

– This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za

The post Besiktas set to sign Pepe appeared first on SportsClub.

Pepe, 34, is out of contract at the end of the month and wanted a two-year deal at Madrid.

But, after being offered just a one-year extension, he has decided to move on from the club he joined from Porto in 2007.

“It is clear that I will not continue at Real Madrid,” he told Cope.

“One stage is over and, from now on, another one will start.

Pepe helped Madrid to three LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns, but injuries saw him make just 18 appearances in all competitions this season.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants PSG and Serie A side Inter, but said he had other options.

“There are more offers, also from England,” he added.

Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid enjoyed a spectacular campaign that included winning LaLiga and the Champions League.

But Pepe has plenty of questions over his exit, saying: “I don’t want to blame anyone. What Zidane has done with Real Madrid is spectacular, but there are things I don’t understand.

“I didn’t say goodbye to Zidane because Zidane and Real Madrid knew I was going before I did,” he concluded.

— This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za

The post Pepe confirms Madrid exit appeared first on SportsClub.