Moffi and Mora on target as Porto beat Stuttgart 2-1 in Germany in Europa League | OneFootball

Rodrigo Mora celebrates scoring Porto’s second goal at the Stuttgart Arena. (Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

FC Porto secured a precious advantage at a difficult venue as they beat Stuttgart 2-1 in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League tie in Germany this afternoon.

The hosts started strongly but Porto weathered the storm and took control of proceedings thanks to a blistering 10-minute spell midway through the first half.

It started when William Gomes did his trademark move, cutting in from the right touchline and smashing a left-footed effort onto the bar.

One minute later Porto took the lead. January signing Terem Moffi played a lovely one-two with Borja Sainz and beat Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel with a firm right-foot shot.

Fofana then went close before Moffi almost scored his and Porto’s second of the night, Nübel this time saving well after the Nigerian had been released by an excellent Seko Fofana through ball.

Porto were all over Stuttgart at this stage and doubled their lead when Zaidu Sanusi showed fantastic awareness by intercepting a loose pass on the halfway line, racing up the left flank and crossing for Rodrigo Mora to calmly slot into the corner of the net on the volley.

With the home team all at sea, Porto were threatening to put the tie to bed there and then, but the hosts got back into the game in the 40th minute when Deniz Undav swivelled neatly and volleyed home.

Porto were deserving of their 2-1 lead at the interval but the second half was a different story with Stuttgart enjoying the upper hand for most of it.

Angelo Stiller thought he had equalised in the 73rd minute, thumping the ball into the net after Porto’s defence had failed to deal with a free kick, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.

There were half chances for both teams but with no further scoring Porto will start next week’s second leg at the Estádio do Dragão with a narrow advantage.