DIt took four games… but it showed up. FC Porto broke their streak of European victories this season and defeated the Italians Napoli, 4-1, on Wednesday night, in a game that was valid for the fourth round of the single league phase of the Champions League.
With the rope around their throat to avoid another European defeat, FC Porto scored early through Polish player Jan Bednarek, but McTominay equalized the match in the first half. The blue and white pressure in the second half ended up resulting in a goal from Spaniard Gabri Veiga, with Kiwior closing the score.
FC Porto is in the Champions League for the first time this season, catching the Italians in the standings and a short step away from the playoff places.
Game movie:
At Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, the home team was very pressing and eager for points so as not to further complicate the qualification for the next phase of the Champions League. Francesco Farioli’s FC Porto started the match well and already put the ball in the back of the net after just four minutes. However, Brazilian Pepê was in an offside position and the move was disallowed.
It didn’t count here, it counted in the 11th minute. Gabri Veiga took a corner kick from the right and the Polish Jan Bednarek appeared in the area with a header for what was his first ever goal in the Champions League. The blue and whites showed some ease in reaching the last third of the field, but were unable to translate that same superiority into goals.
A little against the run of play, Napoli showed the first sign of danger just after half an hour. Rasmus Hojlund won the duel against Bednarek, covered practically the entire field with the ball and set up the shot, with the ball deflecting off Martim Fernandes and passing close to the post. It was the first warning for what came in the 43rd minute. Politano shot low for Diogo Costa to save. De Bruyne, at his insistence, served Hojlund… and Diogo Costa defended again. On the second reload, McTominay pulled over for equality.
Lots of pressure and three goals from Porto
The second half brought a very different home team and it could even be said that they only gave FC Porto in the complementary stage, to the point that three goals were scored by the blue and whites, who got rid of their miseries after the long European drought this season. Just starting the second 45 minutes, Pablo Rosario forced Meret into a tight defense. Bednarek then headed the woodwork following a corner (56′).
The Porto juggernaut continued to charge and Gabri Veiga shot with a bang against the bar in the 64th minute. The Spaniard had more aim in the 71st minute. Santiago Giménez, moments ago on the field, received the ball with space, threw the midfielder deep and the Hispanic placed the ball through Alex Meret’s legs. Napoli, who were very depleted due to the sea of ​​injuries that are affecting the squad, broke with this goal and it was no surprise that the rout at Dragão came about.
In the 81st minute, and following a new corner kick, Jakub Kiwior almost imitated compatriot Jan Bednarek’s move in the first half and shot powerfully into the back of the Neapolitans’ net. Finally, and in a blunder by the Italians, Rafa MarÃn blocked Samu’s foul inside the area and received a direct red card. When converting the penalty, the Spanish striker was unforgiving and scored the rout (90 minutes).
With this triumph, the Dragons now have three points and are in 26th place, while Napoli is 27th, also with three. Vitória SC follows for the championship on Saturday.
Game moment: Gabri Veiga’s goal ended what little resistance there was from the Italians and sent FC Porto to a peaceful victory.
