2022 World Cup: Pepe has become the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout game

In 2022 World Cup, Pepe has become the second-oldest player ever to score at a World Cup, after putting Portugal(opens in new tab) 2-0 up against Switzerland(opens in new tab) in the last 16 of World Cup 2022(opens in new tab) – and in doing so, he pushed teammate Cristiano Ronaldo out of second place on the list.

Pepe, who is 39 years 283 days old, is behind Roger Milla who was 42 years 39 days old when he scored against Russia in the 1994 World Cup on the all-time oldest goal scorers list. The latter record had been held since 1958 by Gunnar Gren, who gave Sweden the lead as they beat West Germany to reach the final on home soil.

Pepe was captaining the side after Ronaldo was benched by Fernando Santos. This was the first time Ronaldo was left on the bench for a major tournament game, since Euro 2008, against Switzerland.

With Cristiano Ronaldo benched for the Round of 16 match against Switzerland, Goncalo Ramos scored the opener for Portugal.

The forward hit a powerful shot from a narrow-angle to put his side 1-0 up. 39-year-old centre-back Pepe then headed home Portugal's second goal of the game to put his side 2-0 up.

In the process, Pepe became the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout game.

After the break, Ramos scored his second from close-range and Rafael Guerreiro to extend Portugal's lead to 4-0.

On a corner kick delivered by Bruno Fernandes, Pepe made a run from the edge of the box and soared over Swiss center back Manuel Akanji to put his name in the record books.

Notably, the veteran defender was also wearing the captain's armband – having taken it from Ronaldo, who was dropped from the starting 11 by manager Fernando Santos.

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