Battling VfB beaten in Porto

Match summary

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side hit the ground running at the Estádio do Dragão and went close to opening the scoring after just 90 seconds, but Jeff Chabot’s header was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The Porto custodian was called into action again just six minutes later, palming Chris Führich’s long-range effort out of harm’s way.

Undav goes close

Deniz Undav almost finished off a flowing move down VfB’s left flank after 12 minutes, but the striker’s first-time strike from Führich’s delivery flew just wide of Costa’s left-hand post.

Porto strike first

Despite the visitors creating the better early opportunities, it was Porto who went in front on 21 minutes with their first meaningful attack of the contest. Atakan Karazor and Luca Jaquez were caught out by a long ball into the path of Rodrigo Mora, who teed up William Gomes to prod the ball home from close range.

One down at the break

Costa was forced into another fine save by Bilal El Khannouss on the half-hour mark, parrying the Moroccan’s effort wide of the upright as VfB, for all their superiority, went into the break trailing 1-0.

Costa denies Undav

Stuttgart continued to apply heavy pressure after the restart and fashioned their first opportunity of the second period on 54 minutes, when Undav’s effort from a central position inside the area was impressively saved by Costa.

Froholdt settles it

Hoeneß’s charges kept pushing, but Porto extended their lead when Victor Froholdt rifled an unstoppable shot into the left corner from the edge of the area to double the hosts’ advantage on 72 minutes.

Nartey dismissed

Second-half substitute Nikolas Nartey was sent off for a second bookable offence with 13 minutes remaining, all but ending VfB’s hopes of a comeback.

Goals

21^st minute: Karazor and Jaquez are beaten by a long pass into Mora, who drives into the penalty area before laying the ball off to Gomes to apply the finish.

72^nd minute: Froholdt gets the better of Angelo Stiller on the edge of the box before finding the left corner from 18 metres out.