Lisbon – Archyde.com
The Portuguese Football Federation announced that defender Pepe will miss the match once morest Turkey in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, following he was infected with the “Corona” virus.
The 39-year-old’s absence means the former European champions will miss the two central defenders in the match in Porto, where Ruben Diaz has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Coach Fernando Santos called up Lille defender Thiago Diallo to replace Pepe.
The winner of this match will face Italy or North Macedonia five days later, in a match that will determine one of the last three remaining places for European teams in the World Cup finals that will start in November.
