A dragon with real European pedigree | OneFootball

FC Porto opened their Champions League campaign with a win, beating RK Partizan 32-28 in a match in which they were always ahead on the scoreboard and enjoyed strong support from the stands. Antonio Martinez, with eight goals, stood out as the top scorer for the blue and whites as European nights returned to the Dragão Arena.

With Thorsteinn Gunnarsson, Xavier Barbosa, Linus Persson and Daymaro Salina all absent due to fitness issues, Carlos Martingo fielded youngsters Diamantino Djanló, Henrique Magalhães and Gonçalo Oliveira. The team’s defensive response was positive from the outset and, after ten minutes, the Dragons were leading 9-5, having allowed only five goals.

Despite picking up more suspensions than the Serbs, Porto maintained their defensive intensity. Sebastian Abrahamsson also played his part, with a 30 percent save rate in goal, and FC Porto managed to build a six-goal lead (16-10). However, the accumulated fatigue and lower efficiency in front of goal in the closing stages of the first half allowed RK Partizan to cut the gap to 17-14 by the break.

The blue-and-white side began the second half with the same formula: organised defending and quick transitions into attack. Vasco Costa and Antonio Martínez took centre stage in the offensive phase, while Gilberto Duarte led the Dragão’s defence. Diogo Rêma also returned in goal after a long spell out through injury, at a time when the contest was becoming more evenly balanced and the scoreboard showed 27-25.

Carlos Martingo called a timeout to give the team fresh instructions. The pace dropped, as expected, but Porto’s defensive determination ultimately proved decisive. Even reduced to six players after Guilherme Borges’ suspension, FC Porto regained possession and Antonio Martínez brought the more than 1,000 fans in attendance to their feet with a brilliantly taken goal. The Dragons thus secured their first three points in Europe’s premier club competition, winning 32-28.

The Dragão Arena will host another match on Saturday at 3:00 pm, live on Porto Canal, when Belenenses visit for a fourth-round match in the National Championship.

Match sheet

FC PORTO-RK PARTIZAN, 32-28 Champions League, Group A, Matchday 2 17 September 2026 Dragão Arena

Referees: Karim Gasmi and Raouf Gasmi (France)

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