FC Porto went to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to lose 2-1 in the fourth round of the Europa League league stage, in a game in which Lazio's goals both came in stoppage time. The first to close the first half, the second to close the second.
Before visiting the Estádio da Luz to face Benfica next Sunday, in the I League, the Dragons found themselves losing due to a header from Romagnolli at half-time, after Fábio Vieira had shot into the woods from the other goal. They then equalized in the middle of the second half, with Eustáquio finishing an excellent attack and offering a hard-earned but important point to Vítor Bruno's team in Rome.
Lazio starts better and sees goal disallowed
Playing at home, Lazio, who still only know how to win in this league stage of the Europa League, started the match better against an FC Porto team whose main new addition to the eleven was Eustáquio, who relegated Nico González to the bench.
Castellanos first shot over the bar in the seventh minute and in the next minute the ball actually put the ball in the back of the goal net in Diogo Costa's guard. Long pass from Romagnoli, deflection from Zaccagni and Castellanos appearing isolated and shooting crossed and accurate. But he was in an irregular position, which was immediately highlighted by the assistant referee and later confirmed by the VAR.
FC Porto reacts, irons deny Fábio Vieira a goal
Vítor Bruno's team realized the warning and, little by little, began to grow in the game and also managed to reach the opposing penalty area with some danger, especially in quick offensive transitions exploiting Samu's strength and speed.
At 34 minutes, in one of these transitions, led once again by Samu, the Spaniard tried to clear Galeno, but the ball hit Fábio Vieira. He adjusted himself and tried an arching shot, very well placed (too much so), which led to the ball hitting the crossbar and the Lazio goal post, ending up not going in.
Bucket of cold water on top of the break
FC Porto didn't score, they ended up scoring against Lazio, well into the break. In the fourth and last minute of the stoppage time granted by the referee.
Pedro Rodríguez took a corner kick into the Dragons' penalty area, Castellanos, with a header, placed the ball at the first post and then Romagnoli appeared to deflect it into the Porto goal.
Great play is worth a draw, but disappointment comes at the end
It took FC Porto a few minutes to react at the start of the second half, but progressively they arrived more often near Lazio's penalty area, looking for the equalizer.
Eustáquio made a first warning in the 57th minute, with a shot at the home goalkeeper, but in the 66th minute the Canadian international scored, in a great football move. Fábio Vieira unmarked Galeno with a great pass, the Brazilian reached the baseline and, inside the Lazio penalty area, crossed low and retreated for Eustáquio's accurate shot.
But, after the equalizing goal, Lazio seemed unhappy and came very close to regaining the lead soon after. Vecino headed slightly over, with the emotion and uncertainty of the result lasting until the end. The tie, even so, seemed like it would last until, again in stoppage time, in the second of the three minutes of added time granted by the referee in the second half, Lazio scored again.
A wide cross from Isaksen into the area, the ball reached the feet of Pedro Rodríguez, who escaped the marking, and Diogo Costa shot in the face to make it 2-1.
With this result, FC Porto maintains the same four points, the result of a victory, a draw and two defeats in four rounds, while Lazio remains 100% victorious, isolated at the top of the table.
