'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Best: Pepe
At a time when Iran attacked with flair and strength, with brute force amalgamated with hopeful long punts, Portugal incessantly required the gutted, no-nonsense demeanor of Pepe by their ranks.
The former Real Madrid man refrained from anything nasty, but was colossal against Iran, as he won aerial balls, cleared out the ball and made some crunch tackles to ensure that they kept the Iranians at bay.
Pepe followed his adversary and stayed close to the opposition, often forcing them to lose the ball by applying high pressure and good marking skills. He sensed the aerial balls brilliantly, often jumping the highest to thwart away the crosses.
Pepe also delivered some crucial, accurate long balls to the other half, and looked to push higher up the pitch at times to look for another goal.
He was a true leader in that regard, marshaling the backline, shielding the custodian, passing the ball out from the back, and also playing it hard yet safe enough to make it past the game without any serious warnings from the referee.
Pepe was a brilliant rock at the back, and almost made Portugal’s defence impenetrable.
