Former European champions FC Porto have progressed into the semi finals after knocking the Russian champions Spartak Moscow 5-2 at the Luzhniki. Andre Villas-Boas’s side flew into the last four round with a 10-3 aggregate to become by far the main favorite at the Europa League title. Falcao, who had scored three goals in the first leg on Dragao, managed to score one more goal in the second term to reach the 11th limit, though still counting.
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Hulk opened the score for the visitors who led the Russians 2-0 at the half time. The second half brought five more goals, three for Porto and two for Valery Karpin’s side. Spartak were the first to put pressure on the Portuguese through McReady who could have restart the qualification fight. The right midfielder was picked in good position to start a long distance run and finish with a lovely strike keeper Helton tipped away. Spartak got the only yellow of the night through Dzjuba who was cautioned by the referee for diving in the 24th minute.
Two minutes later Hulk would bring the first lead for the Portuguese. The central defender started a long distance run from Porto’s half to play a one-two with Falcao on the half-way and continue his outburst towards the goal. The action finished with a superb calm strike past keeper Dikan into the far post from nine yards. The 31st minute found Falcao imitating his team-mate. Porto’s striker, who was chasing his fourth goal against the Russians, chose in the end to pick unmarked Rodriguez whose shot was saved by the keeper.
The first change came after half an hour as Sapunaru replaced injured Fucile. Spartak got their big chance in the 39th minute. Folowing an individual exquisite Yakovlev beat his mark but shot just wide. Alex tried his luck through a powerful shot Pereira denied with three minutes left from the first part. It’s been three intense minutes as Spartak created back-to-back attempts on goal neither Alex, nor Williton could finish beyond Helton.
The first half finished with Hulk’s stormy shot from range to which the same Helton was equal, but also with Porto’s second goal. The visitors won a corner on their right as Moscow’s poor defending allowed Rodriguez raise and score into the near post from six yards through a lovely header. Concerning the second part, it brought first a couple of changes for Spartak and one for Porto. Kombarov replaced his brother in defense, while inefficient Welliton departed for Ari. On the other side, Micale replaced Moutinho.
Just two minutes into the last half Porto made it three through Guarin. The action highlighted Falcao receiving a tremendous pass from the middle but hitting Dikan from ten yards. The rebounded ball was then picked back by the striker only to feed Guarin who put it home into the free far post. Spartak broke back through Ari but his shot was held by Helton. The Russians scored their first goal just two minutes later. Dzjuba beat three defenders to fix the ball inside the box for a great shot into the near post past the Portuguese keeper.
Hosts’ joy wouldn’t last but two minutes as Falcao put Porto back into a three-goal lead. Another corner from left found Rodriguez heading the ball across the face of the goal Falcao headed it home from close range. Newly-introduced Ari made it 2-4 but it was too late for a comeback. He, too, scored one of the best goals of the night following a personal action which found one defender and Helton beaten to strike it into the empty net from a pretty tight angle though.
Micael was the one to have the last word on Luzhniki. A quick attack highlighted Porto hitting the crossbar and the striker picking the loose ball and scoring into the near post from ten yards or so. Porto win as Boas’s side male the progress through the best four phase. Porto have become the third Portuguese side to flow into the semis. The same night, Benfica ousted PSV, while Braga sent Dynamo Kyiv packing following a scoreless draw in Lisbon.
Spartak Moscow – Dikan; Makeev, Sheshukov, Suchy, Kombarov; Alex, Dzyuba; McGeady, Rafael, Yakovlev; Welliton. Reserves: F. Ozobic, A. Belenov, V. Obukhov, D. Kombarov, Ibson, Ari, A. Khodyrev.
FC Porto – Helton; Fucile, Rolando, Otamendi, Pereira; Fernando, Guarin, Moutinho; Hulk, Rodriguez, Falcao. Reserves: Maicon, Silvestre Varela, Beto, Souza, I. Sapunaru, J. Rodriguez, R. Micael.
