Pepe plaudits for Higuain wonderstrike

Pepe has hailed Real Madrid’s performance against Levante on Saturday after the home side ran out 5-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho’s men fell behind to Michel’s first-half strike but goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and two from Mesut Oezil sealed an emphatic turnaround.

“We played well in the first half but they got ahead on the scoreboard with a goal,” the 30-year-old centre-half told Realmadrid.com.

“The team came together and the important thing is that we turned the score around.”

Pepe also praised the quality of Higuain’s equaliser, which came only five minutes after the visitors had taken the lead.

“It was incredible. I’m really happy for him,” the Portugal international said.

“It was a beautiful goal, very nice as seen from the pitch and I’m happy that he scored that goal.”

The victory left Real in second spot, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, and Pepe was keen to switch the focus to Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Galatasaray.

“It’s an important match. We have a solid advantage in the Champions League thanks to a great first-leg match (a 3-0 win last Wednesday), but we shouldn’t rely on that. It’s a good opponent and a difficult pitch,” he said.