FC Porto thrashed 4-0 at home by Real Betis, qualification hopes fading | OneFootball

The FC Porto under-19 team complicated their qualification for the round of 32 of the UEFA Youth League by losing, this Wednesday, at home, to Real Betis 0-4, in the first leg of the final knockout stage of the champions' path.

When they seemed close to reaching the knockout stage, the team led by Sérgio Ferreira – who in previous rounds had eliminated NK Bravo with victories of 4-0 in Slovenia and 4-1 in Vila Nova de Gaia – faced a demanding task against the Spaniards.

In the third minute, after a cross from Iván Corralejo, Antonio Gonzalez's header forced Gonçalo Ribeiro to make a high-level save. Despite this defense, Real Betis took the lead in the 16th minute: following a corner, Gonçalo Marina headed in to make it 0-1.

Less than ten minutes had passed at Olival when Real Betis extended their lead to 0-2. At 22 minutes, Antonio Gonzalez received the ball on the left, easily bypassed two Porto defenders, and shot low for the second goal.

Around the 27th minute, Guilherme Carvalho attempted a long-range effort that forced Manu González into a good save for a corner. Despite this reaction from FC Porto, it was Real Betis who scored again in the 35th minute: after some confusion in the Porto area, Rodrigo Marina assisted Antonio Gonzalez, who scored his second of the match.

With a three-goal lead at halftime, Real Betis managed the game in the second half and set the final score in the 87th minute. Gonçalo Ribeiro denied Rafa Oya's first shot, but couldn't prevent the rebound and the fourth goal.

FC Porto thus faces a significant disadvantage for the second leg, which will be played in Seville on the next December 10, Wednesday, at 3:00 PM (Portugal Mainland time), at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol, in Andalusia.

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