Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-21 22:13:22
FC Porto secured a 1-0 victory against Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Portugal, thanks to a stunning stoppage-time goal from Galeno. This defeat brought an end to Arsenal’s eight-game unbeaten run against Portuguese opposition and leaves them with a challenging task for the return leg in London.
After an impressive 5-0 win against Burnley over the weekend, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta decided to stick with the same starting line-up for the third consecutive game. On the other hand, Porto’s defender Pepe, who is set to turn 41 next week, made history as the oldest outfield player to participate in the Champions League with his 119th appearance in the competition.
Despite the lack of experience in the Champions League, Arteta expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete with the best in Europe. With a successful start to the new year in the Premier League, Arsenal is aiming for their first title since 2004. Additionally, the team is motivated by the possibility of reaching the Wembley final and the desire to win their first Champions League, having previously lost in the final against Barcelona in 2006.
Porto, although currently sitting in third place in Portugal, managed to frustrate Arsenal throughout the match. They allowed Arsenal to control possession in the first half but created the best opportunities. Despite chances for William Saliba and Kai Havertz, it was the hosts who came closest to scoring with Galeno hitting the far post and missing the rebound.
In the second half, Arsenal continued to search for a breakthrough, with Leandro Trossard and others coming close to scoring. In the final 15 minutes, Arteta made a substitution in an attempt to gain control, but to their dismay, Galeno’s late goal secured the win for Porto.
Overall, Arsenal will need to regroup and strategize for the return leg in London in order to overturn the 1-0 deficit. With an impressive run in the Premier League and high hopes for European success, Arteta’s team will be looking to turn the tie in their favor and advance to the next round of the Champions League.
