FC Porto open Champions campaign with 0-2 defeat to Manchester City | OneFootball

FC Porto began the league phase of the Champions League with a defeat against Manchester City (0-2). Francesco Farioli’s side now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Casa Pia in Rio Maior, for matchday six of the Liga Portugal, scheduled for 6pm.

Nehuén Pérez, Martim Fernandes and Alan Varela started, taking the places of Jan Bednarek — suspended after his red card in Nottingham — and Francisco Moura and Victor Froholdt, who are following the recovery protocol after a concussion. The Dragons threatened first, with a Gabri Veiga shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, although the move was eventually ruled out for offside.

In the 20th minute, Diogo Costa denied Erling Haaland, and shortly afterwards he again kept out the Norwegian striker, also saving Rayan Cherki’s follow-up. In the 41st minute, Gabri Veiga was struck in the face by Marc Guéhi in a heavy challenge that drew no action from the referee. The score remained unchanged until half-time.

Haaland gave Manchester City the lead early in the second half (0-1), forcing FC Porto to step up their search for an equaliser. From a Gabri Veiga corner on the left, Alberto Costa flicked the ball on at the far post, but André Silva came very close to reaching it (53'). Three minutes later, Alan Varela received the ball from Pablo Rosario on the edge of the box and struck powerfully, sending it just wide.

William Gomes won back possession after a pass from Donnarumma, but the rebound went wide of the goal. In the 67th minute, Borja Sainz came on for him, while Inbeom Hwang replaced Alan Varela. Francisco Moura and Santiago Gimenez were introduced in the 73rd minute for Martim Fernandes and André Silva. Later, in the 83rd minute, Seko Fofana returned to the pitch at the Estádio do Dragão to replace Gabri Veiga. FC Porto kept pushing for an equaliser, but Haaland struck again in the closing moments to seal a 0-2 result.

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