Pepe misses Portugal's semi-final, unable to recover from thigh injury

Pepe was unable to recover from a thigh injury in time for Wednesday's semi-final against Wales at the Stade de Lyon, leaving Portugal without its standout defender as it tries to reach a second Euro final in four tries.

Bruno Alves, yet to play a minute at Euro 2016, has replaced Pepe in the starting lineup.

The 33-year-old centre-back, who's started all of his country's five matches thus far, suffered the ailment in Portugal's quarter-final win over Poland. He missed Monday's practice and trained separately from the squad Tuesday, but he couldn't shake off the injury.

Alves, 34, slots in beside Jose Fonte in the centre of defence. Manager Fernando Santos decided to leave Ricardo Carvalho on the bench, despite starting the 38-year-old in Portugal's three group games.

Santos said in the pre-match press conference that he would only field players who are 100 percent fit. He has stayed true to his word.

Pepe joins William Carvalho, who's suspended because of yellow-card accumulation, on the sidelines.