Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia

Galeno stunner shocks Arsenal as Porto win first leg

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 February 2024, 21:55
Galeno's injury-time wonder strike left Arsenal dumbfounded as Porto claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 showdown.

A scrappy contest rife with fouls - 36 to be exact - and wasted set-pieces was seemingly destined to end goalless, but as the seconds ticked down, Porto's wing wizard found the far corner with a sublime strike, meaning that the Primeira Liga powerhouses will take a slender lead to the Emirates in three weeks' time.

Mikel Arteta's side dominated the ball throughout the 90 minutes, but the visitors did not have a single shot on target - the first time they failed to do so in the Champions League since losing to Barcelona in March 2011 - but Porto's unbreakable defensive structure made life incredibly difficult for the hitherto free-scoring Premier League team.

The earliest exchanges could certainly be described as two teams feeling each other out, as Arsenal settled into a period of possession, but Sergio Conceicao's team were operating with a high press and sought to limit the centre-backs' time on the ball.

Porto should have drawn first blood with the game's first gilt-edged chance in the 21st minute, as Francisco Conceicao's cross was deflected into the path of Galeno, but the Brazilian struck the far post before inexplicably firing the rebound wide of the other side of David Raya's goal.

William Saliba's blushes in particular were spared by Galeno's shocking miss - the Frenchman was totally asleep as the Porto attacker crept up behind him - but he tried to make amends from a 35th-minute Bukayo Saka corner, only to head wide at the back post.

Bedlam reigned supreme in the penalty box whenever Arsenal won a corner, with jostling aplenty and several Porto shirts hitting the deck as the ball was swung in, but Conceicao's side were effectively stifling the Gunners' well-documented threat from dead ball situations.

For all of the visitors' possession, the Dragons would fashion the most promising opportunities and created another in the 40th minute, when Evanilson stole the ball from Gabriel Martinelli and combined well with attacker Pepe down the right, but his low shot from a tight angle was straight into Raya's body.

Normal service resumed in the second half, where Arsenal once again required a set-piece to have a sight of goal - Leandro Trossard volleyed over from Declan Rice's drilled corner - but referee Serdar Gozubuyuk had already blown for a foul.

Clear-cut chances remained at a premium for both teams, although with 67 minutes gone, Pepe sprinted past Kai Havertz into the box and managed to cut back for Evanilson, whose strike was deflected over the top by an alert Rice.

Fouls and stoppages were the order of the day as the clock wound down, and after Arsenal wasted another aerial opportunity from a dead-ball situation - Gabriel Magalhaes nodded over from Rice's free kick - the teams would seemingly shake hands on a goalless draw.

However, there was time for a remarkable twist to tale in the fourth additional minute, as Martinelli cheaply gave possession away, and 20 yards out from goal, Galeno was allowed to get his strike away unchallenged and curled an exquisite strike into the far corner to spark Estadio do Dragao delirium.

Before bidding to turn the tie around in North London on March 12, Arsenal have Premier League matters to attend to against Newcastle United on Saturday, while Porto are away to Gil Vicente in the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

Top News

1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A key Liverpool man has admitted that there is logic to rumours that he could depart the Reds in the near future but has insisted that he is not looking to leave any time soon. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scotland have been handed a huge injury blow ahead of Euro 2024 with Lyndon Dykes being ruled out of the tournament. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jadon Sancho's career is at a crossroads, with the Manchester United and England forward unsure where he will be playing his football next season. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for a new left-back during this summer's transfer window due to concerns over Luke Shaw's injury problems. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Lorenzo and Sarmiento will be hoping to record their first win of the Argentine Primera Division second phase when they meet at Estadio Pedro Bidegain on Monday night. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has reportedly put contract negotiations with his club on hold in order to focus on representing England at this summer's European Championship. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides towards the bottom of the Argentine Primera Division come together on Tuesday at the Estadio Norberto Tito Tomaghello on matchday four. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mason Greenwood is reportedly keen to return to Getafe next season, having enjoyed his time with the La Liga outfit during the 2023-24 campaign. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers have announced that Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram and Jon McLaughlin have all left the club following the expiry of their contracts. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Casemiro was reportedly unhappy that he was overlooked for a start in Manchester United's FA Cup final success over Manchester City last weekend. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly close to signing teenager James Overy. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A forgotten Liverpool defender has confirmed his desire to leave the Reds permanently this summer and has blasted the club for 'hindering' his future career. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona could reportedly sell Brazilian attacker Raphinha for €100m (£85.2m) during this summer's transfer window, with a powerful Saudi Pro League outfit said to be determined to sign him. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bound for this summer's Euro 2024 finals, Scotland seek an end to their long winless streak on Monday evening, when they meet international minnows Gibraltar at Estadio Algarve. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has named Barcelona's Fermin Lopez and Real Betis' Ayoze Perez in his preliminary squad for this summer's European Championship. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk While Jurgen Klopp lapped up most of the fanfare as he took his Liverpool leave, some attention turned to the Reds players who will not be continuing their careers under Arne Slot. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Beginning their build-up to Euro 2024, Croatia welcome North Macedonia to Rijeka for an international friendly on Monday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Under the watchful eyes of head coach Mikel Arteta and esteemed sporting director Edu, Arsenal have made a habit of tying their integral performers down to new long-term contracts amid their rise to Premier League title challengers. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton have released a statement confirming that 777 Partners' proposed takeover has fallen through having missed the latest deadline to buy the Premier League club. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Before trying to cause a seismic shock in the Euro 2024 Group of Death, Albania seek a stress-free friendly win over minnows Liechtenstein on Monday night in Hungary. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate should not risk captain Harry Kane for the Three Lions' Euro 2024 warm-up friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park on Monday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first of two pre-Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies, England welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to Newcastle United's St James' Park base on Monday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have made a habit of handing long-term contracts to as many players as possible since their arrival in 2022. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly learned that a modest fee of £35m could be enough to capture one of their prime defensive targets for the summer transfer window. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace are reportedly in discussions with Sunderland over a deal for Jobe Bellingham. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have apparently made a shock approach to an ex-Barcelona manager amid perennial uncertainty over Erik ten Hag's future. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly suffered an early blow in their pursuit of a defensive midfielder, as one of Mikel Arteta's top targets has ruled out a switch to the Emirates Stadium.