FC Porto Stun Arsenal with Last-Gasp Winner in Champions League Round of 16 First Leg
Porto, Portugal (AP) – February 22, 2024
In a dramatic turn of events, FC Porto secured a shocking last-gasp 1-0 victory against Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash at the Estadio Do Dragao on Wednesday. The hero of the night was Wenderson Galeno, who delivered a sublime effort deep into stoppage time, leaving Arsenal stunned and the home crowd erupting in joy.
The match, initially appearing drab and deadlocked, witnessed a burst of excitement in the fifth minute of added time when Galeno curled an unstoppable shot past Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya. This unexpected turn of events handed Porto a crucial advantage heading into the second leg in London on March 12.
Despite Arsenal’s recent offensive prowess in the Premier League, where they scored 21 goals in their last five games, they strangely struggled to make an impact in attack against Porto. The London club failed to register a single effort on target, marking the first time since March 2011 that Arsenal did not manage a shot on goal in a Champions League match.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment in his team’s lack of threat and aggression in the final third, acknowledging the need for adjustments before the return leg. “If you want to be in the quarterfinals, you have to beat your opponent, and this is what we will have to do at the Emirates now,” Arteta stated.
Porto, buoyed by Galeno’s late heroics, will travel to London with hope despite their historically poor record away against English clubs. While Arsenal controlled possession, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Porto to grow in confidence as the game progressed.
Galeno, who had earlier thumped a shot against the post in the 21st minute, ultimately proved to be the match-winner. His decisive goal leaves Arsenal with the daunting task of overcoming a 1-0 deficit in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s quarterfinal ambitions hang in the balance, with the English club seeking to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. Porto, meanwhile, aims to replicate their solid performance in London and secure a spot among the elite eight teams in Europe’s premier club competition.
The return leg at the Emirates promises to be a high-stakes encounter, as Arsenal looks to rally and overturn Porto’s slender lead. The football world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this gripping Porto vs. Arsenal saga.