Porto’s Pepê could have been hounded for a display of incredible sportsmanship while 1-0 up against Estoril, but thankfully for him his side finished off a 4-0 win.
The Porto winger was unleashed by an incredible long ball from Diogo Costa in the 23rd minute of the Primeira Liga clash and had to deal with a challenge from Pedro Amaral.
It looked like Amaral had done enough to move Pepê away from his goal, but suddenly the defender stopped with what looked like a clear hamstring tear.
That gave Pepê the chance to run through for an easy one-vs-one, but instead he decided to kick the ball out in an astonishing moment of sportsmanship.
Two of his teammates were furious, while Estoril’s John Carvalho embraced the Brazilian to thank him.
It turned out that Amaral was indeed injured, and had to be removed from the pitch with what looked like an issue that will keep him out for weeks.
Pepê would go on to score the game’s second goal five minutes later, and coach Vitor Bruno was in awe post-match.
“I think it’s a hymn to football, the greatest hymn to football that we’ve had here today,” he said.
“I know I could be criticised, but I really like my players to be honest with each other, with their opponents and I think he made the right decision. Then it was repaid [with the goal].”
Leave a Reply