Wenderson Galeno’s stoppage-time goal sent a red-faced Arsenal back to North London after Porto claimed a 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners at the Estadio Do Dragao in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday.
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Porto had already flustered Arsenal through 90 minutes, keeping the Premier League powers to 0.49 xG and a total of seven shot attempts, but Sergio Conceicao’s men took the frustration up a notch deep in stoppage time.
Arsenal lost the ball at midfield and Galeno drove right at Declan Rice, who could not close down the Brazilian before his shot from distance sailed over a fully-extended David Raya to send the tie to England in Porto’s favor.
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Unfamiliar Gunners shrink from the occasion in Portugal
It’s not easy to go to the Estadio Do Dragao and get a result, and we won’t disrespect Porto by calling this loss some sort of catastrophe. This is especially true considering the match-winning goal was a terrific strike.
But Mikel Arteta’s men looked nothing like the side that’s looked capable of winning every competition it enters this season. Take away Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, themselves not near their usual levels but not passengers on the day, and this was a group that seemed to shrink from the occasion.
This is a new experience for many of the Gunners, including Mikel Arteta. He was mostly frozen, too. A punchless first half seemed like a recipe for changes, but Arteta only made one substitution and it was not one aimed at getting a winner — Jorginho for Leandro Trossard in the second half.
There wasn’t a lot of star power on the bench, to be fair, with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko injured. But Porto got difference-making days at every level. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa stepped up when called, Otavio had an assist and was strong at the back, and Alan Varela and Nico Gonzalez — both just 22 years old — took Martin Odegaard out of the game.
Arsenal will still be favored to do enough in the second leg to advance, but you can forgive any Gooners who watched the first leg and thought their race was run.
What’s next?
Arsenal host Newcastle on Saturday at 3pm, and it’s a long wait for the second leg vs Porto. The Portuguese heroes visit the Emirates Stadium at 4pm ET on March 12.
Porto wait until Sunday to visit Gil Vicente and have Benfica and Portimonense before the second leg in North London.
How to watch Porto vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Wednesday (February 21)
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Porto vs Arsenal live updates as they happened — By Nick Mendola
Porto vs Arsenal final score: 1-0
Goal: Galeno (90+4')
Porto vs Arsenal player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Porto vs Arsenal player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Porto vs Arsenal player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Wenderson Galeno goal (video) — Porto 1-0 Arsenal (90+4' minute)
PORTO STUN ARSENAL IN THE 94TH MINUTE 🚀😱 pic.twitter.com/dtirILHRcA
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 21, 2024
Halftime — No goals
It stayed all Arsenal in terms of possession and control. But still, no goals.
Porto out-attempted Arsenal 5-4 and collected 0.96 xG on just 30% of the ball, but the Gunners four shots, five corners, and 70% possession amounted to a miserly 0.34 xG.
Gunners in control but not punching
Arsenal’s had 70 percent of the ball but also haven’t managed a shot attempt.
Porto had a buzzy 3-4 minute patch midway through the first half that ended with the game’s first three shot attempts.
A good reminder of their threat, even if not one ended up on frame.
Porto lineup
⚽𝕆 ℕ𝕆𝕊𝕊𝕆 𝟙𝟙 𝕀ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕀𝔸𝕃⚽#FCPAFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/yjjDhR5JkR
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 21, 2024
Arsenal lineup
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 21, 2024
Unchanged from Saturday's win at Burnley ✅
Let's leave it all out there, Gunners 💪 pic.twitter.com/DadsKfYD6e
Porto focus, team news
Porto will look to the duo of Evanilson and Galeno in attack to make the most of any chances Arsenal give them on the counter. They also have Portugal’s starting goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Pepe ahead of him so they have the potential to sit deep, defend and soak up pressure. Porto lost talented Nigerian full back Zaidu to injury which is a big blow.
Arsenal focus, team news
With injuries not clearing up for Arsenal it is likely Arteta will roll out the same lineup he’s used for their big wins at West Ham and Burnley over the last two weekends. With Gabriel Jesus out injured, the duo of Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz have taken their chance as they’ve ghosted into space and interchanged masterfully as Arsenal’s attacking machine has ruthlessly clicked into place. Saka is in wonderful form, with Odegaard and Rice also controlling midfield in their sleep. Defensively the Gunners will be tested a lot more by Porto than they’ve been in recent weeks and this is a big test for David Raya.
OUT: Jurrien Timber (torn ACL) | QUESTIONABLE: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (undisclosed), Thomas Partey (thigh), Fabio Vieira (groin)