Porto put in an impressive second-half display to see off Atletico Madrid 2-0 in Champions League Group D.
Sublime finish sets up important win for Porto
Porto put in an impressive second-half display to see off Atletico Madrid 2-0 in UEFA Champions League Group D.
A great goal from Colombian striker Falcao and a second from Portuguese defender Rolando sealed the win for the home side at Estadio de Dragao, although Atletico had their spells of pressure.
Brazilian forward Hulk was a constant threat in the initial exchanges, and it was his good work that gave Mariano Gonzalez the first opening on the left edge of the penalty area, but the Argentinean fired over the bar.
It was the visitors who came closest before the break though - Diego Forlan tried a speculative effort from long range which forced Helton into a smart save before the Porto goalkeeper was called into action to keep out a Sergio Aguero effort.
Defender Tomas Costa's miscued pass gave Aguero a glorious opportunity to bear down on goal, but his stinging shot was well saved by Helton.
Atletico had to do without goalkeeper Jiminez Roberto for the most part of the game after he was forced off with a thigh injury on 25 minutes.
18-year-old David De Gea came on for his European bow, but despite playing well, the young stopper was unable to prevent his side going home with nothing.
Porto had the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half-time when Gonzalez slotted home after breaking free of the defence, only for the goal to be correctly disallowed for offside.
Break
After the break it was Atletico who started brightest, and Aguero went down in the box on 47 minutes after a tangle with Alvaro Pereira, but the referee said no penalty.
Just five minutes later, Atletico defender Tomas Ujfalusi was picked out in an attacking position on the right edge of the box and he hit a fierce shot that was well saved by Helton at his near post.
From the resulting corner, central defender Juanito had a gilt-edged chance just six-yards out, but he fired his header over the bar.
Porto weathered a spell of pressure before coming back into the game, and Bruno Alves and substitute Freddy Guarin both had shots well saved by De Gea.
But De Gea's efforts were in vein as Falcao scored a sublime goal to give his side the lead on 75 minutes.
Meireles picked out Hulk who broke into the area, and after trying himself he pulled the ball back for Falcao to cheekily backheel into the net.
The Colombian could have had another but De Gea saved his header well, only for Rolando to poke home into an empty net from the resulting corner after Bruno Alves hit the post, to seal the win.
| FC Porto |
Team Statistics |
Atlético de Madrid |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 9 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 9 |
Corners |
6 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 7 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 79.8 |
Passing Success |
77.4 |
| 24 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 79.2 |
Tackles Success |
76.2 |
| 45 |
Possession |
55 |
| 48.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.9 |
|
