 Again a starter in Euro 2012 under manager Paulo Bento, Pepe opened the score in the second group game against Denmark, heading home after a João Moutinho corner kick in an eventual 3–2 win.He was later chosen by UEFA as man of the match and, in the semi-final, he was one of two Portugal players to score in a 2–4 penalty shootout defeat to Spain.In the 2014 World Cup, Pepe received a red card in the first half of Portugal's opening match against Germany for headbutting Thomas Müller late into the first half of an eventual 0–4 loss.