Pepe scare for Portugal

MARCOUSSIS – Centre-back Pepe missed Portugal’s training yesterday for the Euro 2016 semifinal against Wales because of muscle pain, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced.

Pulling the Real Madrid player out of training was just a precautionary measure ahead of tomorrow’s match in Lyon, the federation said.

The 33-year-old was the only player missing from the session for Fernando Santos’s men. Midfielder Andre Gomes and left back Raphael Guerreiro returned from knocks over the weekend.

“I was pleased with the way all my players played, but I have to say that Pepe had a huge match,” said Santos, after Pepe’s performance in the quarterfinal win over Poland on penalties.

Gomes insisted that he had fully recovered from a muscle problem that kept him out of the Poland game and was ready for the Wales clash.

“All the players who took on Poland did their best and played very well,” said Gomes.

“I hope I can count on the confidence of the coach for the next match. We suffer more being away [from the team].”

Portugal, led by three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, are hoping to reach the final of a major tournament for the second time after their 1-0 loss on home soil in the Euro 2004 final to Greece.

The only certain absentee is suspended defensive midfielder William Carvalho. –