22 November 2006, by Sean Gillen

Imperious Porto overwhelm Russians

CSKA Moscow 0-2 FC Porto

FC Porto put themselves in a strong position to qualify from Group G after a convincing win over CSKA Moscow in Russia.

An early goal from Ricardo Quaresma was followed by another from inspirational captain Lucho Gonzalez as the Portuguese champions produced an impressive team performance to deservedly take all three points.

Ferreira: "This Porto was at the level of the great Portos of the past"


Jesualdo Ferreira’s men got off to the perfect start against the group leaders, taking the lead with a brilliantly worked goal after just two minutes. Lucho won possession in midfield and chipped the ball up to Helder Postiga, who passed into the path of Lisandro Lopez, and the Argentine crossed to the back post for the onrushing Quaresma to fire into the roof of the net.

CSKA failed to respond, and Porto missed several excellent chances to double their advantage before half time. The outstanding Gonzalez set up Postiga for the in-from striker to shoot straight at CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Missed chances

Porto then missed two glorious opportunities from Quaresma corners. The first fell for Postiga, who struggled to adjust his body in enough time to make contact with the whipped cross. An unchallenged Pepe then somehow managed to fire over from five metres when latching onto Quaresma’s set-piece.

The Russians couldn’t cope with Porto’s composed and sharp passing, with Lucho and Raul Meireles combining well in midfield as the visitors controlled the game. Lopez missed a good headed chance before Postiga turned and went close with a swerving shot from 25 metres, as Porto went into the break without the second goal their play thoroughly deserved.

After a decent start to the second half from the hosts, during which Vagner Love had a penalty appeal turned down and Daniel Carvalho’s free-kick was beaten away by Porto goalkeeper Helton, Porto soon regained the initiative.

Gonzalez brilliance

The clinching second goal for the Portuguese came just after the hour mark, and it was Lucho Gonzalez with his third of this season’s competition. Ricardo Quaresma’s cross was headed clear to the edge of the box, only for Gonzalez to lash a superb half volley into the bottom corner.

CSKA threatened sporadically, with Vagner Love again having tame efforts on goal, but Postiga almost extended his side’s lead when brilliantly played in by the inspired Argentine Gonzalez, who showed great awareness to find the striker, but Postiga again found Akinfeev equal to his finish.

The remainder of the game proved comfortable for Porto, and they coasted to a crucial win to move above their opponents in the group. Porto join Arsenal on ten points at the summit of the section, and need just a draw against the London side in Portugal in two weeks time to secure qualification to the next round.

PortuGOAL Man of the Match: Lucho Gonzalez
The Argentine midfielder was at the heart of most of Porto’s best football, and got the all-important second goal with another superb strike.

CSKA Moscow:
Akinfeev, Berezutskiy, Semberas, Aldonin, Berezutskiy, Dudu Cearense (Kochubey, 26), Rahmic, Daniel Carvalho, Zhirkov, Vagner Love, Krasic (Olic, 66)
Yellow Cards: Vagner Love (66), Kochubey (67), Rahimic (73), Zhirkov (90)

FC Porto:
Helton, Bosingwa, Fucile, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Assuncao, Meireles (Jorginho, 70), Lucho Gonzalez, Quaresma (Alan, 88), Lopez, Postiga (Moraes, 76)
Yellow Cards: Assuncao (7), Pepe (19), Bruno Alves (38)

Goals:
[0-1] Quaresma, 2
[0-2] Lucho Gonzalez, 61