Falcao led FC Porto to their seventh European success in club history, scoring the only goal of the 1-0 win over Sporting Braga. The Portuguese champions have thus recorded their second big success under Andre Villas-Boas who has been appointed as manager last year. On the other side, Braga, who were chasing their first European trophy, failed to score at least one goal, the final being their most remarkable achievement within a continental competition.
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The game was a very open one, though just three shots on target were struck. Porto were the first to near the opening goal through Hulk whose finish went just wide in the sixth minute. The first half found both sides blocking the paths as neither of them focused on offensive. Sporting picked the first yellow through Hugo Vian who took down dangerous Hulk in the 23rd minute. Five minutes later, Silvio was also cautioned for a foul on the same Hulk. Falcao, who is also the best scorer in the competition, opened the score with one minute left of the first half. A cross from the right met the striker unmarked, heading the ball past flying Artur and into the right hand post. Thus, the half time went 1-0 with Porto looking as the better side.
As for the second part, the early minutes of it found Braga mocking a big opportunity through newly-introduced Mossoro whose efforts were stopped at the death by keeper Helton who could have conceded the leveler hadn’t he been vigilant. Porto then conceded their first yellow. Romanian defender Sapunaru was cautioned for a late tackle in the 49th minute. Five minutes later Garcia paid tribute to a clumsy intervention on Varela, while Mossoro, who was chasing desperately his first goal, lost his nerves in the 60th minute, something which brought him a yellow. Meanwhile, coach Domingos was thinking of solutions, so Braga introduced Meyong for Lima in the 65th minute.
Even so, the game remained tight as neither Braga, nor Porto risked too much. Boas replaced Guarin and Varela with Belluschi and James Rodrigues, changes which strengthened the middle. Kaka was also booked for barks. Belluschi met his first chance in the 85th minute, the newly-introduced missing a pretty good opportunity from range. Anyway, the last couple of minutes brought keeper Helton a yellow card for time-wasting as Porto were preparing to celebrate. The final whistle came after three minutes of added time.
The end of the game highlighted Boas hoisting his first Europa League trophy. Falcao was also celebrating his remarkable 17-goal performance within the European competition. Porto finished with seven corners, seven shots, six of which off the target and 58 percent of possession, while Braga had three corners, five shots, three off the target and a 63 percent of passing success. Domingos side’s efforts to stop Porto from breaking through required 20 fouls. On the other side, Porto committed 23.
FC Porto – Helton; Pereira, Otamendi, Rolando, Sapunaru; Fernando, Moutinho, Guarin; Hulk, Silvestre; Falcao. Reserves: Souza, F. Belluschi, Walter, J. Rodriguez, Maicon, Beto, R. Micael.
Sporting Braga – Artur; Garcia, Paulao, Rodriguez, Silvio; Custodio, Vnadinho, Viana; Alan, Paulo Cesar; Lima. Reserves: Kaka, M. Mossoro, C. Figueiredo, Elderson, L. Salino, H. Barbosa, Meyong.
