Utrecht 1-1 Porto - Dragons held in an entertaining Europa League clash | OneFootball

Porto’s road woes continued in the Europa League where they were held to a 1-1 draw at Utrecht.

The Dutch side had lost to nil in their previous three games in the competition and were thoroughly outplayed in the opening 44 minutes. They finished the first half strong and took the lead in the 48th minute when Miguel Rodríguez’s shot was deflected past Diogo Costa.

The game turned sharply in Porto’s favour in the 65th minute when Borja Sainz equalised and Utrecht goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas was sent off for headbutting Gabri Veiga.

The Dragons couldn't take advantage against the depleted hosts, a frustrating evening for Francisco Farioli and his side who remain well placed to advance to the knockout rounds.

Utrecht 1-1 Porto

Porto had a great opportunity early on when Stephen Eustáquio executed a beautiful pass to Gabri Veiga who dragged his left footed effort narrowly wide. Borja Sainz then got past Vasilios Barkas but was too close to the byline to make it count.

Deniz Gül shot straight at the shot stopper before Pepê and Dominik Prpić were booked for protesting too vigorously. The chances kept coming for the Dragons, Pepê providing an opportunity for Eustáquio who was closed down by Souffian El Karouani.

Utrecht fashioned their first shot in the 45th minute, Prpić fortunate not to deflect El Karouani’s effort into his own net. The Dutch side ended the first half strong, a stark contrast from the opening 44 minutes of action.

Ron Jans had plenty of positivity to discuss at the break and brought on Yoann Cathline for Derry Murkin. The hosts began the second half as they ended the first and made it count three minutes after the restart.

Gül conceded a free kick that was well worked by the home side, El Karouani finding Miguel Rodríguez who got into the box and saw his shot deflect off Prpić and sneak past Diogo Costa.

Francisco Farioli brought on William Gomes for Pepê before Barkas spilling the ball and went close to conceding a penalty on Pablo Rosario. Siebe Horemans headed another El Karouani free kick over the bar, Jans bringing on Davy van den Berg and Sébastien Haller for Gjivai Zechiël and Dani de Wit.

The game took a dramatic turn in the 65th minute when Porto equalised and went a man up.

Veiga stole the ball and released Gül who saw his shot saved by Barkas, Borja Sainz perfectly positioned to convert the rebound. Veiga pushed Vasilios Barkas twice in an attempt to retrieve the ball, the goalkeeper reacting with a soft headbutt right in front of Scottish referee John Beaton who showed no hesitation in producing a red card.

Farioli immediately introduced Alberto Costa and Victor Froholdt for Martim Fernandes and Eustáquio, Jans sacrificing David Min for Michael Brouwer.

El Karouani was presented with another free kick that Costa tipped over the bar but the Dragons would soon get on top. Veiga tested Brouwer and fired a free kick over the bar before Fariolo eventually introduced Samu for Gül.

Sainz, Veiga and Prpić were unable to beat Brouwer before the substitute goalkeeper produced a fine save to deny Sainz, the Dragons failing to make their numerical advantage count and settling for a point.