Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe will not be able to play in Portugal's final World Cup qualifying match against Luxemburg after being booked against Israel. The pair will therefore leave the Portuguese camp and be replaced by Bruma and Rolando, respectively.
With first position in the table virtually out of reach, as Russia has a three-point lead with one game remaining, both players will be available for the play-offs in November.
When Ronaldo was asked by journalists if he had provoked his booking, the player denied doing so and said that the "important thing" was to be in the play-offs.
Galatasaray winger Bruma will be making his debut for Portugal, while Inter Milan centre-back Rolando has played over ten international games.
Ronaldo already talking about play-offs
"If I explain why I don't want to face France I could be punished"
"If I explain why I don't want to face France I could be punished"
Portuguese and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo does not want his country to face France in the potential play-off for the World Cup.
"In theory, France is the strongest side. There could be a lot of interest in this game and for that reason I think it's best to avoid it. If there is one team to avoid it's France, for several reasons", he said without specifying the reasons.
"I'm not going to speak about it because I'll be punished", the forward added when interviewed by journalists after Portugal's draw with Israel, which virtually killed off the side's chances of a direct route to the World Cup.
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