Atletico Madrid held to a home draw by Porto

Uzioster

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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The match between Porto and Atletico Madrid ended in a 2-2 draw.

New Delhi: A Lisandro Lopez brace was not enough to give a win to FC Porto, who will, nonetheless, welcome Atletico in the second leg with a slight advantage.

The Portuguese team were hit by a last-minute change to the starting XI as Sapunaru replaced Fucile in the right side of the defence.

FC Porto started out the better and could have scored as early as in the first minute. Hulk brilliantly moved past two Atletico men and passed the ball to Cristian Rodriguez, who saw his shot blocked by the defence.

But it would be the Spanish side to break the deadlock just one minute later. Sergio Aguero raced in the middle and served Maxi Rodriguez, who made no mistake from close range.

Hulk looked like a one-man army and he was finding it very easy to break through Atletico's left side of the defence, leaving Ujfalusi and Antonio López wondering what they could do.

The Dragons looked determined to get back into the game and even managed to score 18 minutes into the game but Lisandro Lopez's header was nullified because of an offside infraction.

And the Portuguese champions would find the net just three minutes later. A terrible mistake by Pablo left Lisandro completely alone in front of the keeper, who could not stop the frontman's low yet powerful left-foot shot.

Porto had another great chance to score in the 24th minute. Cristian Rodriguez found Lisandro alone in the area, who tried his second goal but Leo Franco somehow managed to block the shot with his right foot.

The away side were now in complete control of the game and they looked more and more likely to score as the match developed.

After 28 minutes, Raul Meireles put Hulk in a one-on-one situation with Leo Franco with a through pass. The Brazilian striker should have done more as his effort was denied by the keeper.

The first-half would not end without another good chance for Porto. Hulk, down the left flank, left Seitaridis behind and sent the ball across the box but there was no-one there to finish it.

But it would be the home team that would find the net. On 47 minutes, Forlán tried his luck from outside the box, and when everyone thought his effort would produce nothing, Helton let the ball slip through his hands and into the net.

The second-half began much in the same way, with Porto having a good chance after just two minutes. Lisandro almost headed home a Raul Meireles corner but Leo Franco tipped it away and Pablo was quick to clear away the danger.

Nine minutes into the second period, there was a another chance for Porto as Cristian Rodriguez perfectly served Lisandro, who had just the keeper to beat but shockingly sent it over the bar.

On 57 minutes, Raul Garcia produced Atletico's first chance of the second-half by trying his luck from outside the box, only to see his effort going wide of Porto's left post.

By the hour-mark, Atletico seemed to have finally learned how to counter Porto's offensive moves, specially the ones coming from Hulk. The home side were now happily enjoying more possession and entering Porto's midfield more often.

Porto would, however, equalise again, with 72 minutes on the clock. Cissokho, down the left flank, sent in a low cross and Lisandro did not say 'no' this time, scoring his second of the night.

With the clock showing 85 minutes, Atletico had a good chance. Forlan easily moved past veteran Pedro Emanuel and found Simão in the box but the Portugal international saw his shot blocked by the defence.

Porto's fans will surely leave the stadium happier than Atletico's but they will feel that their team could have got more out of this game. Atletico Madrid continue to struggle and will require an improved performance in the return game to go through in the Champions League.

GOALS

1-0 Maxi Rodriguez, 3'

1-1 Lisandro Lopez, 22'

2-1 Diego Forlán, 45+2'

2-2 Lisandro Lopez, 72'

Atletico Madrid

Leo Franco, Seitaridis, Pablo, Ujfalusi, Antonio López, Paulo Assunção, Maxi Rodríguez (Miguel de las Cuevas, 80'), Raul Garcia (Maniche, 68'), Simão Sabrosa, Diego Forlán, Kun Aguero (Florent Sinama-Pongolle, 54').

FC Porto

Helton, Sapunaru (Pedro Emanuel, 80'), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Fernando, Lucho González, Raul Meireles (Tomás Costa, 90+2), Cristian Rodríguez, Hulk, Lisandro Lopez (Tarik Sektioui, 89').