Dominant Porto make confident start

FC Porto 2-0 Belenenses

The Portuguese champions began their quest for a fourth successive title with a straight-forward victory over Belenenses at the Estadio do Dragao yesterday. A goal in each half from Mariano Gonzalez and Hulk capped an efficient if not brilliant performance.

In front of over 40,000 fans Porto started strongly, with Lucho Gonzalez pulling the strings in midfield and Cristian Rodriguez looking lively and combining well with the classy Argentine against a defensive Belenenses team.

It was something of a South American battle, with Porto’s starting XI containing six Argentines while the visitors lined up with seven Brazilians. Perhaps the natural animosity between the two footballing cultures explained the high number of over-zealous tackles, especially from the Belenenses players.

It was Belenenses who created the first opportunity with Marcelo heading wastefully over in the very first minute. Porto came straight back and a Raul Meireles thunderbolt on four minutes flew just wide of the post.

Mariano strikes

Porto’s bright opening was rewarded on 15 minutes when Lisandro did well to fashion an opening and his low hard shot was well saved by Cesar. China tried to clear the loose ball but his attempted clearance hit Mariano’s chins and rolled into the empty net.

Lisandro and Sapunaru came close to doubling Porto’s lead as Lucho, Mariano, Rodriguez and Lisandro produced a period of scintillating interplay to cut open the Belenenses defence. Shortly before half time Mariano went on a mazy run and hammered a 25-yard shot towards goal that beat keeper Cesar but crashed against the post.

After the break Porto continued to dominate although the match dropped in pace. Lisandro and Benitez had efforts saved by Cesar while at the other end of the pitch Helton had to be alert to turn a deflected cross around the post for a corner.

Belenenses’ hopes of getting back into the match diminished in the 73rd minute as Carciano picked up his second yellow card and was given his marching orders.

Spectacular goal

Porto doubled their lead in spectacular fashion on 84 minutes through substitute Hulk. The big Brazilian picked up the ball and moved towards the right-hand edge of the box before unleashing a ferocious shot that arrowed into the top left-hand corner of net via the crossbar.

There was still time for Lucho to try his luck, with midfield playmaker almost capping a man-of-the match display as his shot flew just wide of the post.

FC Porto:
Helton, Sapunaru, Pedro Emanuel, Bruno Alves, Benitez, Tomas Costa (Guarin, 74), Raul Meireles, Lucho, Mariano Fucile (80), Lisandro, Rodriguez (Hulk, 69)
Yellow Cards: Bruno Alves, Lisandro

Belenenses:
Julio Cesar, Baiano, Carciano, Matheus, China, Rodrigo Arroz (Organista, 64), Candido Costa, Silas, Ze Pedro, Maikon (Vinicius, 70), Marcelo (Joao Paulo, 55)
Yellow Cards: Baiano, Carciano (56 & 73), Candido Costa
Red Card: Carciano, 73

Goals:
[1-0] Mariano, 15
[2-0] Hulk, 83