What a night and what a shocking result and this is not taking anything away from the gallant and brilliant effort from Porto players but who would have thought Porto would show more desperation and effort against Juventus. Football will surprise you anyway.
Porto took on Juventus at their favourite stadium that it took Ronaldo's brilliant effort while at Manchester United to break the jinx of not losing at home.
Porto started the game well and they got a gift from the shoddy defence line with the goalkeeper. The backline made a series of back passes which was a terrible idea as they soon found out. Szczesny couldn't quickly recover a wayward pass to him even though he put the other defender under pressure when he should have cleared. Taremi closed him down and was rewarded when the ball bounced off him into the back of the net. No one wants to start the first leg knock out round of 16 this way. It gave Porto the confidence to take the game to Juventus rather than sit back to defend.
Juventus tried to get a response and draw level on a few occasions but nothing came out of their attack. Rabiot had a lovely overhead kick from a lovely freekick but the goalkeeper saved it.
The half time whistle went and the goalkeeper's mistake was the only thing that separated the two sides. Juventus would do anything to have that away goal and that must be something they would have discussed at half time but Porto didn't relent. They kept pushing and got their reward.
The second half started and Porto dented any hope of a comeback for Juventus when Marega scored the second goal sensationally. A wonderful passing move led to this. Marega was found in the box and he produced a good and calm control on the ball, balanced himself before slotting it home. That was a cool finish and no one can say Porto didn't deserve the lead. They scored just over a minute into the first half and now they have repeated the same thing over the second half. Porto sure knows how to start early and that has proved to be a lovely advantage for them on the night. It allowed them to settle and control the game from then on.
Oliveira had a brilliant run in the 52nd minute and found himself in the 18 yards. He had a shot but the goalkeeper was on hand to save it. That would easily have been a 3rd goal on the night.
Porto had another chance to get a 3rd goal that had eluded them all night when Corona's individual brilliance to lift the ball in the box and produce an overhead kick was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
In the 82nd minute, Chiesa gave Juventus the much needed away goal they so much craved for. Alvaro Morata pulled a ball into the box and it found Chiesa. Right on the move, he brilliantly tucked the ball home and hope got renewed for Juventus. It might prove to be an important away win after the second leg has been played.
Juventus would feel robbed in the 94th minute when they were denied a penalty as Mbemba hacked down the ankle of Ronaldo. The referee failed to point to the spot and rather blew the final whistle much to the shock of the Juventus players and the annoyance of Cristiano Ronaldo. The wrong penalty call wouldn't overshadow the brilliant effort of Porto in taking the game to Juventus.
This is Porto's first-ever victory over Juventus in European games and they have lost 4 times while managing a draw. It is also their 2nd victory in their last 10 knockout matches. They have lost 7 times out of 9 attempts heifer now. Juventus has now lost 3 times in their last knock out matches in Uefa Champions League. They have only won once. This would be a test for Juventus and Porto would hope to get through to the Quarter Finals.
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