In Diogo Costa's 100th appearance at Estádio do Dragão, the FC Porto captain was a mere attentive spectator in the victory over OGC Nice (3-0). The blue and white superiority was shown after just 18 seconds - Gabri Veiga scored the fastest goal in the blue and white home - and continued in Spanish: the number 10 scored twice in the first half and Samu completed the victory that took Francesco Farioli's squad to the direct qualification zone for the Round of 16 of the Europa League. The Dragons are eighth in the league with 10 points.

Referee Matej Jug gave the order for the game to start, the nine FC Porto players positioned on the halfway line spread out strategically across the opponent's half and Pepê combined with Alberto Costa before gaining space near the end line to cross back. Alan Varela let the ball pass to Gabri Veiga, and the midfielder scored the first goal of the afternoon with a powerful shot at the near post. All this in 18 seconds, the fastest record at Estádio do Dragão - alongside Galeno's goal against Rio Ave in matchday three of 2024/25.

The blue and white bench protested a dangerous tackle by Dante on Alan Varela's knee (20m) and then celebrated in the 33rd minute, when Froholdt received the ball from Alberto, turned to find options and spotted Gabri Veiga unmarked at the edge of the box. The Spanish broke through the French defensive line and, with his left foot, gave goalkeeper Diouf no chances at preventing the second of the evening (2-0).

Jan Bednarek returned to the game in exchange for Varela shortly after the break and saw Samu score his first Europa League goal in the 61st minute. Launched deep by Gabri Veiga, the Spanish international was brought down by Dante and, after the VAR intervened to award the penalty, he fooled Diouf and heard the stands chanting his name (3-0).

Deniz Gül left to loud applause and was replaced by Borja Sainz (61m), Rodrigo Mora replaced Victor Froholdt and became the youngest player to reach 50 games for FC Porto, Luuk de Jong returned to international action (72m) and Gabri Veiga deserved a standing ovation for his valuable contribution to the result before giving way to Eustáquio, who reached 150 games for the Club. With the five “reinforcements” on the pitch, the score remained fair and clear until the final whistle.