By beating Rangers FC (3-1) on Thursday at Estádio do Dragão, in the eighth and final matchday of the Europa League group stage, FC Porto qualified directly for the Round of 16 of the competition. Rodrigo Mora started the turnaround and made no secret of the fact that the blue and whites started the match “a little apathetic,” but knew how to “react to the goal conceded” and sealed “a deserved victory.” “We are having an incredible season and this qualification is further proof of that,” concluded the 18-year-old attacking midfielder.

Strong reaction to the goal conceded
“We started the game a little apathetic, but we knew how to react to the goal conceded, we scored three goals in the first half and in the second half we managed the game well. It was a deserved victory and we stayed in the top 8, which was what we wanted. With the advantage, we knew how to manage the game well and secured three very important points.”

Everything settled in the first half
“The sooner we score, the better, but if we hadn’t scored in the first half, we would have scored in the second. It’s good that we scored in the first half, because in the second we were able to control the game better.”

Europa League play-off avoided
“Rest days are also important, even for the league, but the most important thing is the quality and unity of this team. We are having an incredible season and this qualification is further proof of that.”