Porto scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Estadio do Dragao. Galeno’s superb strike gave the hosts a slender advantage ahead of the second leg in London.
Arsenal fail to register a shot on target
Arsenal, who are competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2017, looked far from their free-flowing best and failed to register a shot on target in the entire match. This is only the second time they have done so in the competition on record (since 2003-04), previously doing so away to Barcelona in the last 16 in March 2011.
The Gunners, who had won their previous two league games at West Ham and Burnley, struggled to create clear-cut chances and were frustrated by Porto’s disciplined and organised defence. Their record signing Declan Rice, who was playing in his preferred midfield role, had a quiet game and was unable to influence the proceedings.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that his side lacked creativity and intensity and said they will learn from their defeat. “We will learn from it. Now it is clear, it is half-time. If you want to be in the quarter-finals you have to beat your opponent and that will be the purpose and the plan,” he said.
Porto reward their fans with a memorable night
Porto, who had finished second in their group behind Liverpool, were playing in front of their fans for the first time in the Champions League this season. They rewarded their supporters with a memorable night and a deserved victory, as they showed more desire and determination than their opponents.
The hosts had the better chances throughout the game, with Luis Diaz forcing a good save from Bernd Leno in the first half and Mehdi Taremi hitting the crossbar with a header in the second. They also had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee after Kieran Tierney appeared to handle the ball in the box.
Porto’s persistence paid off in the dying moments of the game, when Galeno, who had come on as a substitute, received the ball on the left wing and cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot that flew past Leno and into the top corner. It was a stunning goal that sparked wild celebrations among the players and the fans.
Porto manager Sergio Conceicao praised his team’s performance and said they deserved to win. “We were the better team, we created more chances, we had more possession, we were more aggressive. We played with a lot of personality and character. We are very happy with the result, but we know that nothing is decided yet,” he said.
What next for both teams?
Porto will travel to London for the second leg on March 14, hoping to defend their lead and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2019. They will also resume their domestic campaign, where they are second in the Portuguese league, four points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal will have to improve their performance and score at least one goal in the second leg if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 alive. They will also face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, where they are fourth, six points behind the leaders Chelsea.
