FC Porto are nearing a second big success in the European Competitions. The former continental champions thwarted Villarreal 5-1 on Thursday night at the Dragao after Falcao scored four goals. Juan Carlos Garrido’s side opened the score in the 44th minute but the visitors were left four goals behind within the second part.
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The game started with Fernando picking a first yellow card for an ugly intervention. Porto then conceded a second yellow card after Hulk was cautioned for diving inside the Villarreal box. It’s been an electrifying game as both sides have missed dozens of chances. Villarreal grabbed their first yellow card through Valero in the 43rd minute. But one minute later, they would also grab a goal. Cani headed Nilmar’s perfect cross under the keeper to put the Spaniards into the lead.
Unfortunately, the unexpected was yet to come. Four minutes into the second half Falcao was taken down by the keeper Lopez who awarded the home side a penalty. The striker converted into the right-had corner to make it 1-1 as Lopez saw a yellow card for his clumsy intervention. Guarin put Porto into the lead in the 61st minute following an individual action which found two defenders beaten and the midfielder heading a follow-up below the same keeper.
Six minutes later, Falcao made it even 3-1. Hulk danced between two defenders to play the striker five yards out, who put it home past Lopez. Catala was the third Spaniard to concede a yellow. The left defender was cautioned for an ugly foul. The 71st minute brought a fourth goal for Porto. Falcao completed his hat-trick through a lovely header from seven yards. Guarin hit a free-kick inside the box, while the striker beat the offside trap to bring the hosts a three-goal advantage.
Helton, too, picked a yellow card in the 83rd minute. Porto’s keeper paid tribute to a handball outside the box following a dangerous action created by the visitors. The last minutes brought Rodriguez in and Hulk out for Porto, but also a fifth goal for the same red-hot Portuguese. Falcao scored his 15th goal of the competition in the 90th minute. Porto won a corner on the left the striker headed into the far post from ten yards to make it 5-1 and put Andre Villas-Boas’s side one step into the big final.
Porto scored five goals for the third time in a row. The Portuguese had passed Spartak Moscow 5-1 in the first leg and 5-2 in the second one to become the main favorite for the Europa League trophy. Thus, Villarreal have to score at least four goals next week in Spain. The same night Benfica beat Sporting Braga 2-1 at the Estadio da Luz, but the qualification is still open.
FC Porto – Helton; Pereira, Otamndi, Rolando, Sapunaru; Fernando, Guarin, Moutinho; Rodriguez, Hulk; Falcao. Reserves: Walter, Souza, J. Rodriguez, Beto, Silvestre Varela, R. Micael, Maicon.
Villarreal CF – Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Marchena, Catala; Cani, Valero, Bruno, Cazorla; Nilmar, Rossi. Reserves: Kiko, Matilla, M. Ruben, Wakaso, J. Capdevila, Juan Carlos, Cicinho.
