Portugal are boosted by the return of experienced defender Pepe for tonight’s World Cup play-off final against North Macedonia.
The centre-back, 39, missed the semi-final victory over Turkey due to Covid-19 but was able to return to training on Sunday after overcoming the virus.
The North Macedonians stunned Italy in their semi-final, knocking out the European champions in Sicily courtesy of a late Aleksandar Trajkovski goal.
Therefore, Fernando Santos cannot be complacent when setting up his star-studded Portugal team.
Pepe comes in for either Jose Fonte at the back, while Matheus Nunes is once again among the substiutes after bagging his first international goal off the bench against Turkey.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads lead the line with the support of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes.
Ruben Dias and Renato Sanches miss out through injury, though Joao Cancelo is back and starts for the home side.
Starting XI: Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Danilo, Mendes, Moutinho, Fernandes, Silva, Otavio, Jota, Ronaldo
Subs: Patricio, Sa, Guerreiro, Fonte, Cedric, Vitinha, Carvalho, Guedes, Nunes, Silva, Leao, Felix
