After Portugal ended the Euro 2024 group stage with a shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia, centre-back Pepe knows more will be required when they face Slovenia in the last 16 on Monday.
That defeat did not stop the Selecao topping Group F and landing a round-of-16 draw against Slovenia, who qualified as one of the best third-placed finishers.
However, they are now on the same side of the knockout bracket as France, Belgium, Germany and Spain, and know they will likely have to beat multiple heavyweights if they are to go all the way.
At their last major tournament, the 2022 World Cup, Portugal set the record for the biggest margin of victory in a last-16 match at the World Cup or Euros, trouncing Switzerland 6-1.
They were, however, beaten 2-0 when they last met Slovenia in a friendly in March, leading Pepe to expect a tough test.
"Portugal were among the best teams statistically in the group stage," he said. "From the first game here in Germany to the last, the fans have always been with us.
"We know it's going to be a very difficult game, not least because of our recent history.
"It's about avoiding making the mistakes we made in that defeat back in March so that we can come out on top.
"We know it's going to be a very difficult journey. It's going to be tough, but we all have to be together."
This will be Slovenia's first-ever match in the knockout stages at a major tournament, and the 26th such match for Portugal. Since their triumphant Euro 2016 campaign, Portugal have lost three of their four knockout matches at major tournaments (one win).
They will once again look to Cristiano Ronaldo to carry the attacking burden, though this is the first major tournament in his career in which he failed to net in the group stage, in his 11th participation overall.
Pepe, however, has told fans not to worry about the form of their captain.
"Cristiano lives for goals, that's a fact. But have you seen his availability on the pitch to help the national team? It's incredible," the 41-year-old said.
"He's the player with the most minutes in our team, at 39 years old.
"He's doing very well. He'll do very well in the final stages of the European Championship. I'm certain he will give us a lot of joy."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has not scored in any of his last seven appearances for Portugal at major tournaments, his longest-ever drought at the World Cup and Euros. He has had 19 shots without netting in those games since scoring versus Ghana at the 2022 World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has had 12 shots worth 1.32 expected goals (xG) so far at Euro 2024, twice as many attempts as his nearest rival in the Portugal squad – Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (six).
Nine of his shots have come from inside the box, indicating he is taking up the right positions and is likely to break his goal drought soon.
He has also created six chances for his team, recording one assist to take the all-time European Championship record outright, with seven in his six participations.
Slovenia – Andraz Sporar
Slovenia have only netted two goals at the tournament thus far, but their strike duo Sporar and Benjamin Sesko have been a handful for defences.
They may both be awaiting their first goal at Euro 2024, but they have registered a combined 12 shots between them (seven for Sporar and five by Sesko).
Five of Sporar's seven efforts have come from inside the area, and he has a total xG figure of 0.98 in his three matches. He has also won 13 duels overall, four of them in the air, demonstrating his willingness to get through plenty of defensive work.
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTUGAL WIN
The Opta supercomputer has given Portugal a 76% chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. Ahead of the first set of knockout fixtures, only England and Spain (both 82%) were seen as more likely qualifiers.
Despite their slip-up against Georgia, which came with a much-changed starting lineup, Portugal ranked second for both possession share (67%) and total shots (53) in the group stage, behind Germany (69%, 57 shots).
Their defeat on matchday three halted a run of 12 consecutive wins in competitive action. However, they have not lost back-to-back competitive matches since Euro 2008, when they lost 0-2 to Switzerland in the group stage and 2-3 versus Germany in the quarter-finals.
Another player to watch in Selecao colours could be Vitinha, who leads all of his team-mates for line-breaking passes (29) at this tournament.
His pass completion rate under high pressure is also the highest of any player for his country (90% - minimum 50 attempted).
The Paris Saint-Germain man is brimming with confidence and his quality could be key against a Slovenia side likely to dig in, just as they did in group-stage draws with Denmark and England.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portugal - 67%
Slovenia - 19.6%
Draw - 13.4%
Earps joins PSG after confirming Man Utd departure
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United.
Earps' United future had been in doubt for some time as she ran down the final 12 months of her contract last season, having previously been linked with Arsenal and PSG.
On Saturday, the Euro 2022 winner confirmed she was leaving United after five years with the club, having made 125 appearances for them across all competitions.
On Monday, her anticipated move to France was finalised as she penned a two-year deal with Les Parisiennes, who finished as Premiere Ligue runners-up to Lyon last term.
The Lionesses shot-stopper said: "Together, we’re going to give our all to help the club shine and make our fans proud.
"I'm determined to contribute to our future success so that Paris Saint-Germain continues to rank among Europe's top clubs."
Reports have suggested United offered Earps a more lucrative wage than PSG, but her determination to compete for silverware was the primary motivation behind her move.
United finished fifth in the Women's Super League last season, though they did thrash Tottenham 4-0 in the Women's FA Cup final to lift their first major trophy.
'We're lucky to have him', Miami boss Martino says of Alba
Inter Miami are fortunate to have Jordi Alba, so says head coach Gerardo Martino.
Alba scored a stunning volley that ultimately proved the winner just before half-time in Saturday's 2-1 win over Nashville SC. The strike came with an expected goals (xG) value of 0.01.
That victory kept Miami top of the Eastern Conference, with a two-point lead over FC Cincinnati.
Miami face Charlotte in midweek, and with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez still away at the Copa America, Martino is glad to have such an experienced, quality player as Alba at his disposal.
"I celebrated] as should be celebrated because it was a great goal," Martino said.
"I'm not surprised because he is a player with so much quality.
"He [Alba] puts me at ease for what he gives the team and the options he gives us in attack and how well he played defensively.
"Jordi is an internationally recognised player and we're lucky to have him on our team."
Nashville dragged themselves back into the contest in the second half, and Miami ultimately relied on goalkeeper Drake Callendar to make a late save to earn all three points.
Reflecting on his side's display, Martino added: "I believe we had a very good first half, we controlled the whole thing.
"In the second half, we did not control the ball the same way as the first half, especially when Nashville had a line of three, [but] we didn't suffer.
"I think in the end we won the game rather well."
Charlotte lost 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo last time out, snapping a four-game unbeaten streak for Dean Smith's team.
They sit sixth in the Eastern Conference.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC - Patrick Agyemang
Agyemang leads Charlotte's scoring charts with five MLS goals. They have come from 14 shots on target, and 26 attempts overall. He will be one Miami's defence has to look out for.
Inter Miami - Julian Gressel
Gressel provided an assist for Miami's opener against Nashville. It was his 100th goal contribution in MLS.
Since he joined MLS in 2017, Gressel has provided 62 assists, with only Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta (65) setting up more goals.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
While Miami are top of the standings, Charlotte are expected to challenge for a positive result in this one, with Opta's supercomputer ranking the draw threat highly.
Miami have won their last three away games in MLS, though, so the Herons still come into this as slight favourites.
That being said, Miami have lost their last two trips to Charlotte. In fact, last season, these teams split the record evenly over their three meetings in all competitions, with Miami winning one, Charlotte winning another and the other game drawn.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami - 41.6%
Charlotte - 32.9%
Draw - 25.6%
Chelsea complete swoop for teenage Barcelona striker Guiu
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of teenage striker Marc Guiu from Barcelona, having met his €6million (£5.1m) release clause.
Guiu had one year remaining on his contract with the Blaugrana but opted to reject the offer of an extension after breaking into their senior squad last season.
The 18-year-old appeared three times in LaLiga last term, netting on his senior debut against Athletic Bilbao at the age of 17 years and 291 days last October.
Guiu, who has been capped by Spain at under-17 and under-19 level, is expected to fight for a place in Chelsea's first team under new boss Enzo Maresca.
He has signed a five-year contract with an option for the club to extend his stay for a further 12 months.
"It's an immense joy to sign for Chelsea and I struggled to sleep ahead of the journey here because I was so excited," Guiu said. "Ever since I was small, it was my dream to play in the Premier League.
"Now I have the opportunity to come here to Chelsea and I will work my hardest to be successful for the club."
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