In their second UEFA Champions League group stage match, Barcelona confronted a formidable opponent in Porto at Estadio do Dragao. The match turned out to be a nail-biter, compounded by the absence of key players and contentious VAR decisions.
Starting Lineup and Initial Momentum
Under the guidance of Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona fielded an eagerly anticipated central defensive pairing, featuring Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo. Alejandro Balde and Joao Cancelo occupied the full-back positions, while in midfield, Oriol Romeu partnered with Gavi and Ilkay Gundogan. Leading the attack was Robert Lewandowski, flanked by Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona began the match with an impressive opening, dominating the initial 15 minutes. Joao Felix even managed to test Porto’s goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, with an early shot on target.
Porto’s Fightback and VAR Drama
As the match unfolded, Porto gradually found their rhythm and began exerting pressure around the 20th minute. At one point, they came close to being awarded a penalty when Pepe and Mehdi Taremi attempted to link up inside Barcelona’s box, resulting in Taremi going down after a challenge from Kounde. However, the on-field referee chose not to grant the penalty, and VAR confirmed the decision.
Barcelona’s first substantial chance materialized midway through the first half, as Joao Felix’s well-placed shot forced Diogo Costa into making a crucial save. A few moments later, Felix had another opportunity but failed to capitalize.
The match took an unfortunate turn for Barcelona when Robert Lewandowski sustained an injury following a tackle by Carmo. Despite his best efforts, Lewandowski couldn’t continue, and Xavi substituted him with Ferran Torres shortly after the half-hour mark.
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Barcelona’s Late First-Half Lead
As the first half progressed, Barcelona managed to secure a late lead thanks to an alert interception by Ilkay Gundogan. Gundogan capitalized on a sloppy pass from Romario Baro, setting up Ferran Torres for a one-on-one situation. Barcelona entered halftime with a 1-0 lead, although their performance in the final third left much to be desired.
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Porto’s Second-Half Resurgence
Porto initiated the second half with renewed determination, creating opportunities and pressuring Barcelona. By the 50th minute, Barcelona managed to regain control, restoring balance to the contest.
Chances continued to flow down Porto’s left wing as the hosts struggled to find an equalizer. Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, was called into action with important saves after the hour mark.
Substitutions were made, with Sergi Roberto and Fermin Lopez stepping in for Oriol Romeu and Joao Felix, respectively.
VAR Controversy Strikes Again
Porto had a prime opportunity to level the score when Eustaquio’s impressive run seemingly led to a penalty as Joao Cancelo appeared to handle the ball. However, VAR intervened, determining that the Porto player had handled the ball before this incident, negating the penalty appeal.
In the 80th minute, Marcos Alonso was introduced in place of Lamine Yamal, as both teams continued their pursuit of goals.
Porto’s hopes were further dashed when Mehdi Taremi’s spectacular overhead finish was disallowed for offside in the final moments of the game.
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Barcelona’s Late Drama
As stoppage time approached, Gavi received his second yellow card and was subsequently sent off. This means he will miss the upcoming match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Despite Porto’s relentless efforts and attacking transitions, Barcelona clung to their slender 1-0 lead until the final whistle. With this hard-earned victory, Barcelona climbed to the top of Group H with six points from two matches.
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FC Barcelona Player Performances Evaluation
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7/10): Ter Stegen made crucial saves and commanded his area effectively.
Joao Cancelo (4/10): His contributions to the attack were limited, and he benefited from a late VAR decision.
Jules Kounde (6/10): Delivered a solid defensive performance but was caught off-guard by a disallowed Porto goal.
Ronald Araujo (8/10): Araujo’s superb match-saving tackle and overall performance were outstanding.
Alejandro Balde (6/10): Executed his role competently but encountered challenges linking up with Joao Felix.
Ilkay Gundogan (6/10): Controlled the midfield well and played a pivotal role in setting up Barcelona’s sole goal.
Oriol Romeu (6/10): Played his role effectively but occasionally slowed down the pace of the game.
Gavi (4/10): Fell short of expectations, failing to provide the necessary impetus in the attack. His second yellow card led to his dismissal.
Joao Felix (6/10): Played effectively in the attack but struggled to provide the finishing touch.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10): His performance was curtailed by an early injury, making it challenging to evaluate his impact.
Lamine Yamal (6/10): Established a good connection with Ferran Torres once introduced but had difficulty finding the target.
Ferran Torres (7/10): Scored the critical goal in first-half stoppage time but didn’t stand out in other aspects of the game.
Sergi Roberto (6/10): Replaced Oriol Romeu in the 69th minute and played out of position but fulfilled his duties.
Fermin Lopez (6/10): Entered the match in the 69th minute to replace Joao Felix but had limited influence on the attack.
Marcos Alonso (N/A): A late substitution aimed at bolstering the defense.
Xavi Hernandez (5/10): Faced challenges due to key player absences and a demanding match. The team’s lack of discipline and momentum was evident, and they were fortunate to secure three points.
Image Source: Barca Blaugranes
Conclusion
In a grueling contest, Barcelona managed to clinch a 1-0 victory against Porto, claiming the top spot in their Champions League group. Despite missing key players such as Frenkie De Jong and dealing with adversity, the Catalan giants displayed tenacity and determination. The match was not without controversy, with VAR playing a crucial role in critical decisions. The performance underscored the significance of Barcelona’s key players and the need for improvement in certain areas. Nonetheless, they departed Portugal with three invaluable points in their pursuit of European success.
