FC Porto (A) Europa League Quarter-Final 09/04/26

FC Porto 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Gomes 11'              Fernandes 13' OG

Only a few years ago, a European quarter-final for Forest fans would’ve felt like a fever dream. But no! This was reality. A trip to the spring sunshine in Porto for their first game at this stage in 30 years.

Last time Forest were in a European competition in the 1995/96 season, they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage, losing 7-2 on aggregate to eventual winners, Bayern Munich. Now, they had the chance to give themselves an advantage to make it to the semi-finals at the Estadio do Dragao before the second leg at the City Ground next week. To get to the quarter-final round, Forest had to defeat FC Midtjylland on penalties in Denmark after drawing 2-2 on aggregate. Former Porto manager, Vitor Pereira, made three changes from his sides trip to Herning; the most notable one being the return of Chris Wood after seven months out with injury. As for Porto, they advanced to the last eight after a confident 4-1 scoreline after two legs against Stuttgart. Farioli made two changes from this second leg. As for their respective leagues, before the international break, the Reds crucially defeated relegation rivals Tottenham 3-0 to creep further away from the drop zone. Contrastingly, Porto sit top of the Primeira Liga, five points clear of second placed Sporting CP.

These two did face off in the league phase as in Dyche’s first game in charge, Forest came out on top 2-0. This was Porto’s first defeat of the campaign in all competitions. However, they have a 100% win record at home in the Europa League this season.

In just 40 seconds, the hosts almost had the lead. Porto managed to get out of the Forest press and soon they were away with Fofana down the right after Sainz flicked the ball out to him. Fofana played a first time pass to Moffi and with the Forest defence nowhere to be seen, he seemed certain to score. Luckily to the Reds’ rescue was Ortega who got down well to save the striker’s first time side footed shot. This really put Forest on the backfoot and they struggled to get a foothold in the game. The red shirts were all over the place.

This bad start got even worse as Porto took the lead. After some lovely link-up play, Rosario back-heeled the ball to Veiga, who was making an unmarked run into the box. He pulled the ball across the six yard box where Gomes tapped in at the back post.

Just two minutes later, their much deserved lead was stripped away from them through one of the most bizarre goals you’ll see all season. The hosts were playing it around the back and Fernandes went to pass back to his goalkeeper from 45 yards. He put too much power behind the pass and Costa couldn’t get there, meaning Forest were level.

For the remainder of the half, Forest were getting into good attacking areas but defensively, there were so many gaps that Porto were exploiting on the break. In added time, the hosts did this again and they were almost rewarded for it. Down the right, Gomes found Fofana in the box. He wriggled his way to the byline before lofting in a cross into the danger area where Moffi was waiting. He was allowed a free header at goal but once again, Ortega was alert to make the save and hold it.

At half time, Pereira bought on Jesus for Wood and Milenkovic for Murillo. The Serbian would settle things at the back but his teammates almost didn’t help him out. Gomes drove down the right but he was doubled up against by both Ndoye and Morato. He managed to skip between both of them and break into the box. Milenkovic got tight to him forcing him to take on the shot which he could only drag narrowly wide.

Forest’s first real chance of the game came just before the 60 minute mark from James McAtee. The space opened up for him from around 25 yards out so he let fly, forcing Costa to make a good save to his left. Just moments later out of nowhere, the Reds had the ball in the net. From the right, Hutchinson whipped a ball into the box. The ‘keeper rushed out to claim the ball but Jesus just got there first before recycling the ball and smashing it into the net. The referee blew for a foul but after replay, the goal was disallowed for a handball.

After the VAR check was over, the hosts almost grabbed the lead themselves immediately. Gul found Gomes in the box and the forward cut inside on his left foot and tried to place it into the bottom left corner. Unfortunately for him, Ortega got down with an outstretched palm to tip it behind for a corner. If anyone was going to snatch a late lead, it was going to be Porto. Alberto Costa played a ball forward which looked to be dealt with by the Forest defence. However, Abbott let it bounce, allowing Pepe to recycle the ball. Gomes had made a darting run into the box which was found through a back-heel pass. Gomes was on a tight angle but his effort flashed just wide of the far right post.

The first leg ended 1-1, meaning it’s all to play for in Nottingham next week. In between Forest host potential semi-final opponents Aston Villa whilst Porto travel away to Estoril.

The performance was quite poor but we managed to come away with a draw, giving us an advantage in the second leg. In that first half, we were too open at the back, leaving too many gaps and I’m surprised that we didn’t concede more. We looked a lot more reassured at the back when Milenkovic came on. We also got into good attacking areas but we barely created any good chances. We were gifted a lucky goal. It is a huge boost to have Wood back as we’ve really missed him.

FC Porto: D Costa; Sanusi, Bednarek, Silva, Fernandes (A Costa 19’); Veiga (Froholdt 58’), Rosario, Fofana (Varela 74’); Sainz (Gul 58’), Moffi (Pepe 58’), Gomes

Forest: Ortega; Morato, Murillo (Milenkovic 46’), Abbott; Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, Bakwa (Williams 60’); McAtee (Sangare 74’), Gibbs-White (Hutchinson 60’); Wood (Jesus 46’)