FC Porto beats Boavista behind Rodrigo Mora and falls into the lead of the Primeira Liga – I Liga

With one of the best performances of 2024/25, FC Porto defeated Boavista (4-0), with a lot from Rodrigo Mora. The 17-year-old midfielder scored a goal and an assist, helping the dragons spending the night at the top of the Primeira Liga, in the 16th round.

Now, the classic between Sporting and Benfica will define whether the Porto players go to 2025 at the top of the table or in second place.

Vítor Bruno began to surprise in the starting lineup by choosing André Franco to start, replacing Fábio Vieira in the last round, and repeating the presence of Rodrigo Mora in the starting lineup, bringing new blood onto the field.

On Pinto da Costa's birthdayit was clear that the former president of the Dragons is still an integral part of the club's life, such were the many tributes paid by fans, and by the club itself, throughout the Estádio do Dragão.

The Porto team entered the field very nervousfailing many passes and very hasty attacking the checkered goal. The opponent started off bold, pressing and dizzying in attack.

As time went by, FC Porto tried to touch Boavista in their area, but they were unable to do so long enough to regularly reach dangerous areas. The game was at a slow pace, although full of intensity.

Indeed the dragons' first major offensive movement came in the 25th minutewhen Martim, Pepê and Samu put together a beautiful combination, which only failed to score due to the Spanish striker's clumsiness in the final part of the play.

This move was the starting point for a better connection between the players and the goal came shortly after. Nico launched Martim Fernandes on the right and the full-back launched a millimeter pass that found Samu in the right place to finish low, in the 31st minute.

Over time and with an advantage, Vítor Bruno's team began to become more confident and things seemed better at the front. Samu managed to appear more often in finishing zones and the ball reached the Spaniard with a “rounder” shape.

The second half started like the first half ended: the blue and white team dominating and getting the most dangerous chances, while Boavista tried to hurt Dragão with quick counterattacks.

The insistence on full pressure helped the Dragons increase their lead, in the 55th minute, with a studied free kick. Rodrigo Mora received the ball at the edge of the area and isolated Nico González with a delicious pass. The number 16 jersey was in the checkered goalkeeper's face and just had to pull over.

The advantage didn't take long to increase after a great individual moment. In a counterattack, Rodrigo Mora was launched at speed by Nico, faced the opponent and shot with his left foot to score a great goal into the top corner (59 minutes). What a work of art!

This third goal was a setback that was too difficult to deal with for Boavista, who at that moment realized that it would be very difficult to score against Dragão. The Porto fans became the masters of the game and continued what was one of the best displays of the season.

The pace naturally dropped, but the quality of the actions was maintained, even with the changes in the team. In the 79th minute, Rodrigo Mora was one of those substituted in the triple change by Vítor Bruno and received the ovation of the night at Estádio do Dragão.

Before the end, Samu even scored a goal. While the fans were singing congratulations to Pinto da Costa, at 87, Samu caught the ball just fine, after a corner kick, and scored twice in the match with a powerful shot.

FC Porto proved that it is becoming more and more of a team and that it is in a declared and now he will spend the night at the top of the Primeira Liga. Depending on the result of the derby, the blue and white emblem could end 2024 in first place.