Porto score after just 18 seconds, see off winless Nice in the UEL | OneFootball

Porto needed just 18 seconds to show who was in charge at the Estádio do Dragão this Thursday (27th) by beating Nice 3-0.

The match was part of the fifth round of the UEFA Europa League group stage. 

This result took the Portuguese team to ten points and left the team from the French Riviera with none. 

As soon as the ball started rolling, Pepê found Gabri Veiga entering freely, and the Spaniard only had to finish with precision: 1-0, a start any team would dream of on a European night.

It was the fastest goal at the Dragão in the history of the competition. 

The pressure from Porto did not let up. Francesco Farioli's team controlled the pace, occupied the offensive field, and pushed a completely lost Nice, reflecting a weak Europa League campaign and a crisis that has been ongoing for weeks.

At 33 minutes, Froholdt weaved a play down the right and served Gabri Veiga again, who showed a striker's instinct by extending the lead - two goals and a dominant performance still in the first half.

Nice even had a chance to breathe. At 38, Diop received the ball unmarked in the area but sent it over the goal, a practically certain goal missed. It was the kind of play that changes games - and the French team, clearly lacking confidence, failed to capitalize.

Thus, Porto went into the break with a comfortable lead and the feeling that there was more to come.

The second half followed the same script: Porto in command, Nice adrift. Until, in a move down the left, Samu invaded the area and was brought down by Dante.

Samu himself took the penalty at 61 minutes and calmly converted, closing the score and sealing a night that showcased the Portuguese team's maturity, intensity, and organization.

At the Dragão, the fifth round of the Europa League was under absolute Porto control - with Gabri Veiga shining, Farioli commanding, and Nice confirming all the weaknesses that the standings already suggested.

A solid victory, built from the first touch of the ball.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 MIGUEL RIOPA - AFP or licensors