Defender Pepe surpasses Cameroonian Milla as oldest to score in World Cup knockouts

Born in Maceió (AL), defender Pepe went to play in Portugal at the age of 17. At 24, in 2007, he became a naturalized Portuguese and that same year he was called up for the first time to the Portuguese national team by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. There he began his winning path in his new nation.

Fifteen years later, he competes in his fourth edition of the World Cup, in Qatar, when he makes football history by becoming the oldest player to score a goal in the competition’s knockout matches. At 39 years and 283 days, he beat Cameroonian Roger Milla, who was 38 years and 34 days old when he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Colombia in extra time, to qualify for the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. -nineteen ninety.

“I am privileged to be able to play football, I feel happy waking up and doing what I love most every day. This brand will only have great meaning for me if we reach the final and win the title”, commented the defender after the match. thrashed by 6 to 1 over Switzerland, which secured a place in the quarterfinals. He scored the second goal, with a header.

Roger Milla, however, maintains the record for the oldest player to score goals in World Cups, for the goal scored in the 6-1 defeat by Russia in the last game of the group stage of the 1994 USA Cup, when he was 42 years old and 39 days.

Another of Pepe’s feats was overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo as the oldest Portuguese player to score in World Cups. CR7 had scored one of the goals in the 3-2 victory over Ghana in his debut in Qatar, aged 37 years and 295 days.

As he left the Lusail stadium, this Tuesday, Pepe highlighted the team’s performance to make the result easy.

“We have to give merit to the collective work, we did an exemplary job. Everyone knew the importance of the game, we are all to be congratulated. It is a privilege to be part of this group”, he commented, not wanting to claim victory before the hour. “I am not saying that we are more candidates [ao título] now. We have three more finals, an already difficult game against Morocco. We have to live up to this game, which will demand a lot from us.”

The defender, who captained the team until Cristiano Ronaldo joined in the second half, also praised striker Gonçalo Ramos, CR7’s substitute in the duel.

“It was a very important demonstration. He was happy to put on a dream performance. I’m very happy for him, he’s a boy who works a lot. Even though he didn’t play the last game, he always worked with the spirit of being able to help the national team. that way, everything becomes easier.”

Players highlight Portuguese identity

Striker João Félix says he especially enjoyed his partnership on the pitch with Gonçalo Ramos. But, when asked if the pair would remain against Morocco, he declined.

“It was a good performance. I’m happy. It’s up to the coach to decide, but I get along very well with him. [Gonçalo Ramos], with whom I really like to play. He has characteristics that help me in my game”, commented Félix, praising the way his team performed, without losing the identity of the game.

“The preparation was the same as in the other games. We saw the best and worst of them and we played accordingly, not losing our identity. We played a great game, perhaps the best so far”, he said, showing confidence in the future of the team in Cup.

“We are focused and we completely believe in ourselves. I hope it has been demonstrated that we have a great team, we know what we want. We count on everyone’s support and that they will not pull us back.”

Midfielder Bernardo Silva also said that Portuguese players are not stressed by not playing. On the contrary. “This was the ideal formation for this game, that’s what the coach decided for this game. We have 26 players ready to help our team. Any changes the coach makes, the players will try to respond in the best possible way.”