GAMES Anderlecht remains unbeaten in the Europa League even after five matches. Against Porto, on paper the toughest of the eight opponents, purple and white achieved a nice 2-2 draw. Anderlecht played well and deserved more, but could finally breathe a sigh of relief that Amuzu equalized.
The match started great for Anderlecht. After just 14 seconds, Degreef sent Dolberg into the lane and the Dane coolly finished. Unfortunately, he was a few centimeters offside, so the party did not continue. Anderlecht did take control of the game from the outset. Halfway through the first half, they did receive an unfortunate/discutable penalty kick. Galeno coolly kicked in.
After the goal the match became more sloppy with many small mistakes. We did not see any big chances before halftime. Immediately after the break Rits hit the post. A little later the goal was scored. Dendoncker with good tracking, allowing Rits to recover. The keeper served Degreef who slammed the ball neatly into the goal: 1-1.
The equalizer was followed by chances on both sides. Porto claimed a second penalty kick, but N’Diaye’s intervention was correct. At the other end, Rits and Amuzu went for their chances. Anderlecht deserved a second goal, but it was Porto that scored it. Invader Vieira was given too much space in midfield. He was allowed to advance and strike from about 18 meters. The ball just fitted between Coosemans’ hand and the post.
An undeserved defeat seemed in the making. Until Amuzu dribbled in quickly and lashed out. Via a Portuguese head the ball ended up in the far corner: 2-2. Ten seconds before time it was still very hot when N’Diaye let himself be caught, but Coosemans saved and Engwanda swept the ball away before a Porto player could take the rebound.
Anderlecht thus remains unbeaten in the Europa League. It now has 11 out of 15 points. The next European match is on December 12 against Slavia Prague.
Score: 2-2
Goal(s):24′ Geleno (0-1, pen.), 52′ Degreef (1-1), 83′ Vieira (1-2), 86′ Amuzu (2-2)
Anderlecht: Coosemans, Foket (84′ Engwanda), Simic, Zanka, N’Diaye, Dendoncker (84′ Verschaeren), Rits, Stroeykens, Edozie (60′ Amuzu), Degreef (73′ Dreyer), Dolberg (73′ Vazquez)
Porto:Costa, Joao Mario (46′ Fernandes), Perez, Ataide, Moura, Gonzalez, Eustaquio (82′ Vieira), Varela, Pepe (75′ Borges), Omorodion, Galeno
Yellow: 29′ N’Diaye, 34′ Joao Mario, 44′ Gonzalez
Red: /
Referee: Morten Krogh (Den)
Stadium: Lotto Park
Source: © Internal source
