FC Porto leaves the 2020/21 edition of the Champions League with reasons to be proud. In the second leg of the quarter-finals of the biggest club competition in the world, the Dragons again were better than Chelsea in Seville and won 1-0 thanks to a great goal by Mehdi Taremi. After the unfair defeat by 0-2 in the first ninety minutes at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, the national champions again showed they had what it takes to reach the semi-finals, but failed to score one more goal that would force extra time, to continue the dream.

With three changes in comparison to the team that played less than 72 hours before, in Tondela, and one in comparison to last Wednesday’s match, the blue and whites started pressing and pushed Chelsea back right from the start. On the first occasion the opponent passed the midfield with the ball under control, only a great clearance from Mbemba prevented another goal for Mason Mount. Shortly after, and after a bad pass from Mendy to Jorginho, Tecatito Corona stopped the English team from going up and could have opened the scoreboard. While the imposing and reinforced blue and white midfield dominated the entire sector, Corona was faster than Chilwell, but the shot was again not perfect and went too high. Settled on the opponent’s midfield - and with Marko Grujic clearing everything in the air and on the ground - FC Porto was, at this point, better than Chelsea for over two hours. 

The trend remained after the break: Sérgio Conceição’s men had more ball possession, but the omnipresent N’Golo Kanté guaranteed the advantage in the duels, essential for the team led by Thomas Tuchel to keep the two goals advantage intact. After the hour mark, the blue and white coach reinforced the team in the last third, with Mehdi Taremi replacing Marko Grujic. Two minutes later, Otávio found Corona, who, in turn, found Taremi in the penalty spot. The Iranian forward’s attempt went in the right direction, but with the wrong power, and Mendy grabbed on to the tie.In the last 15 minutes, Nanu, Luis Díaz and Evanilson replaced Manafá, Corona and Marega, and, from then on, Chelsea took every opportunity they had to waste time. After that, in a last resort solution for the attack, Fábio Vieira replaced Sérgio Oliveira and Marchesín remained undisturbed in front of goal. 

The best was truly saved for last: with one minute to go before the end of stoppage time, Mehdi Taremi scored one of the best goals in the current edition of the Champions League, with a spectacular bicycle kick that guaranteed FC Porto’s victory. Seconds before the final whistle, Thiago Silva and Rudiger tackled Evanilson in the British area, but referee Clément Turpin signalled nothing. The Dragons ended up eliminated from the Champions League by the minimum margin (1-2) and will now turn their focus to the fight for the revalidation of the national title.