Pepe and the Real Madrid back line picked up their second clean sheet of the season in Sunday's 2-0 win at Espanyol. He finished with five aerials won at center back.

This was Real Madrid's second road clean sheet of the season, while allowing three goals in two home matches. A clean sheet isn't guaranteed against Villarreal in midweek play.

Pepe won three tackles, secured three interceptions and scored a goal on two shot attempts during Saturday's 5-2 win over Osasuna.

Pepe was his usual aggressive self in the defensive end Saturday despite making his first league appearance of the season, and he even managed his first goal of the campaign by nodding home a Toni Kroos corner kick to give his side a four-goal lead. Pepe appears to have achieved full fitness after a summer filled with international obligations, and he should be back in the first XI for Wednesday's Champions League group stage opener versus Sporting Lisbon.

Pepe has been ruled out for UEFA Super Cup clash versus Sevilla on Tuesday, ESPN FC reports.

Manager Zinedine Zidane has not included Pepe in the group for the match as the center back has just returned from his prolonged summer vacation due to his participation in Euro 2016. Additionally, Pepe is still recovering from the thigh injury that was bothering him during the knock out stages of the Euro finals.

Pepe started six matches for Portugal during Euro 2016, tallying three clean sheets, three shots, with one on target, two dribbles, six tackles and one yellow card on four fouls. He improves his international record to 77 caps and three goals. Portugal won Euro 2016 after a triumphant 1-0 extra-time victory in the final over the hosts France.

Pepe had a couple of injury lay-offs, though, he was a big piece of Real Madrid's defense the rest of last season. The 33-year-old center back wasn't much of a fantasy factor, though, as he doesn't go forward too much and finished the season with one goal, one assist, six clean sheets, 33 tackles and five yellow cards in 21 La Liga starts.

Pepe (thigh) returned to full training Saturday and could play in Sunday's Euro 2016 final against France, ESPN FC reports.

Pepe was unable to play in the semifinal against Wales due to the injury suffered in the quarters against Poland, but his return would be a huge boost against a France side that looks absolutely dominant of late.

Pepe is questionable for Wednesday's Euro 2016 semifinal match against Wales because of a thigh injury, Reuters reports.

Pepe was unable to train Monday due to the injury, and his absence would be a massive blow for Portugal, who will face a Wales side that scored three times against Belgium in the quarters.

Pepe kept a clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 victory in extra time over Croatia in the Round of 16 at the Euros.

A mainstay of Real Madrid's starting XI when healthy, Pepe has effectively anchored Portugal's back-line through their first four matches. His nine clearances led the match against Croatia and he'll need to be at his best again on Thursday against Robert Lewandowski and the rest of the Polish attack in the quarterfinals.