Porto began their Champions League campaign with the 2-2 draw in Ukraine against Dynamo Kiev.
An away draw at a tricky venue is not a poor result, but the Dragons will be disappointed they did not come away with all three points after a brace by Aboubakar saw them come from behind and score what looked like a late winner, only for the hosts to equalise in the 89th minute.
Despite Porto's convincing win at the weekend, coach Julen Lopetegui (who was suspended and watched the game from the stands) changed things around, dropping Mexican Jesus Corona to the bench in spite of his stunning two-goal debut and opting to bolster midfield with Danilo, Rúben Neves, André André and Herrera, all of whom tend to occupy central areas.
If the idea was to stifle Dynamo's threat it largely worked, with the hosts having great difficulties in carving out chances, but the tactics also blunted Porto's attacking momentum, especially in the first half.
Maxi to the rescue
Porto goalkeeper Casillas had an eventful match, starting off with what could have been a clamorous mistake as he dropped a straight-forward cross at the feet of Júnior Moraes, but was saved by Maxi Pereira getting his body in the way of the goalbound shot.
Brahimi then struck a free-kick narrowly over, before Dynamo took the lead on 20 minutes. A cluster of Porto midfielders were unable to prevent a surging Garmash run, and his low cross found its way to the unmarked Gusev who finished easily from close range.
The visitors responded well to the setback, equalising immediately as Aboubakar headed in superbly from a peach of a cross from Layún. On the stroke of half time Casillas produced a magnificent save to tip over Garmash's shot on the run after more slack marking from Porto.
Second-half improvement
Porto came out for the second half in more determined mood and bossed most of the second 45 minutes. Maicon fired a free-kick wide, André tried his luck from distance and substitute Corona saw a rising shot brilliantly turned over the bar by Dynamo goalkeeper Rybka. The hosts were restricted to rare breakaway efforts, but a deflected Garmash shot aside Casillas was untroubled.
And it seemed the Dragons would be rewarded for their second-half efforts when Aboubakar took advantage of a Rybka mistake to fire his and Porto's second of the match in the 81st minute to put the Portuguese side into the lead.
Controversial equaliser
Porto have never won a match after falling behind under Lopetegui, and tonight wasn't to be the night that statistic changed.
A free kick for the home team in a dangerous position was hit into the wall, and the follow-up effort ballooned into the air. A Dynamo player was clearly in an offside position, but did not go after the ball, although it can be argued he was interfering with play. Buyalskyy reacted faster than Casillas and the Porto defence to head in while the Portuguese side were waiting for a referee's whistle that never came.
Porto's next game in the competition is the keenly anticipated match at home to José Mourinho's Chelsea at the Estádio do Dragão on 29 September.
by Tom Kundert
Dynamo Kiev: Rybka, Danilo Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes, Garmash, Ribalka, Miguel Veloso (Kravets, 87'), Gusev (Buyalskyy, 67'), Derlis González (Belhanda, 70'), Junior Moraes
FC Porto: Casillas, Maxi, Maicon, Indi, Layún, Danilo, Rúben Neves, Herrera (Tello, 65'), André André, Brahimi (Corona, 78'), Aboubakar (Osvaldo, 90')
Goals:
[1-0] Gusev, 20'
[1-1] Aboubakar, 23'
[1-2] Aboubakar, 81'
[2-2] Buyalskyy, 89'
