12 November 2007, by Joao Pedro

Estrela stun Porto with late comeback

Estrela da Amadora 2-2 FC Porto

After dominating the whole match and seemingly coasting to another victory FC Porto let a two-goal slip in the final five minutes to drop two points for the second successive week.

Yet another goal from Lisandro Lopez and a Raul Meireles strike either side of the interval put the Portuguese champions in command, but a Mauricio header and a last-minute Mateus penalty gave Estrela a share of the spoils.

Ricardo Quaresma had promised to answer his critics this Sunday and the winger did not disappoint. The talented wide man has earned the nickname of the “Harry Potter” of Portuguese football and he put his full range of magic tricks on show at the Jose Gomes Stadium to liven up what was a distinctly lukewarm match until the final minutes.

Porto dominated the first half without creating too much in the way of clear-cut scoring opportunites. Tarik Sektioui wasted a good chance on 13 minutes, but midway through the half Lisandro Lopez continued his hot goalscoring touch by expertly taking down a cross on his chest and firing into the net off the post.

Superb team goal

Porto doubled their lead five minutes into the second half with a wonderful team goal. Lucho Gonzalez was released on the right flank and after reaching the goal-line the Porto captain looked up and picked out Quaresma. The winger produced a sublime back-heel in mid-air to set up Merieles, and the Portugal midfielder powered a shot into the back of the net, with the aid of a slight deflection.

On the hour mark Quaresma embarked on a exhilarating run taking him past six (!) Estrela players before slipping the ball to Lopez, whose well struck shot hit the inside of the post before bouncing to safety.

With the game seemingly won, Jesualdo Ferreira took off Lucho Gonzalez who had returned from injury. Estrela fired a warning that they were not prepared to throw in the towel when Mauricio sent a venomous free-kick crashing against the bar ten minutes from time.

Costly mistakes

Even so, nobody expected the late drama that ensued. First Mauricio took advantage of poor judgement by Porto goalkeeper Helton who flailed at a cross to head into the net.

With full time approaching another crass mistake saw Stepanov needlessly pull Jeremiah’s shirt in the box, with Mateus slotting home the resulting penalty to earn the home side a somewhat fortuitous draw and penalise Porto’s late leniency.

Estrela da Amadora:
Nelson, Rui Duarte, Wagnao, Mauricio, Helder Cabral, Marco Paulo, Marcelo Goianira (Mateus, 46), Tiago Gomes, Vítor Moreno (Ndiaye, 72), Anselmo, Yoni (Jeremiah, 46)
Yellow Cards: Mauricio, Goianira, Wagnao

FC Porto:
Helton, Bosingwa, Stepanov, Bruno Alves, Fucile, Lucho Gonzalez (Bolatti, 69), Paulo Assuncao, Raul Meireles (Kazmierczak, 86), Tarik Sektioui (Adriano, 76), Lisandro Lopez, Ricardo Quaresma
Yellow Cards: Stepanov

Goals:
[0-1] Lisandro, 23
[0-2] Raul Meireles, 49
[1-2] Maurício, 84
[2-2] Mateus, 90 (pen)