Sports

Last-gasp Porto stun Arsenal

Sports Desk, Feb 22 (EFE).- A phenomenal defensive performance and a last-gasp goal from Brazilian Wanderson Galeno saw Porto beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match on Wednesday.

The late goal was the well-deserved reward for a Porto defense that stopped one of the best attacks in Europe, who had seven shots in the game but none on target and 10 corner kicks that ended in offensive fouls.

Arsenal’s return to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since 2016-17 was more than matched by a tactically intelligent and determined Porto side that was contesting the round of 16 for the third time in the last four years.

Galeno had the chance to put Porto ahead in the 21st minute if he had not sent a rebound wide after his thundering shot ricocheted off the post.

His miss was so incredible that it even fooled the stadium’s sound technicians, who started playing the music usually heard in Porto’s goals.

Centre-back William Saliba headed wide from Bukayo Saka’s corner in the 35th minute to waste Arsenal’s best chance in the first half.

As the match approached the final whistle with no team able to show the cutting edge required to break the deadlock, Porto coach Sergio Conceiçao turned to the Spaniards Ivan Jaime and Toni Martínez to provide more dynamism in the attack.

The move paid off as Galeno struck with a powerful shot from outside the box four minutes into extra time to stun Arsenal, who have now lost their last eight first-leg matches in the Champions League round of 16.

“I think the credit for that goal goes to the whole team, for what they did in the 90 minutes. We played well, we defended well, we left all our energy on the pitch,” Galeno said after the match.

“Regarding the goal, when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate. I am very happy. We will try to replicate in London what we achieved here. We will try to stay solid and give our best, as we always do,” he added.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta hoped for a better show in the second leg on Mar. 12 in north London.

“We have to manage the game much better. We cannot win with the way we handled the ball on three occasions in deep areas,” he said.

“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.” EFE

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