1993/94 SV Werder Bremen 0-5 FC Porto: Report

After a five-goal thriller in FC Porto's first meeting with SV Werder Bremen, the sides went into the Germany rematch knowing victory would have a big say in determining who joined AC Milan in the semi-finals. Five more goals delivered more thrills, but somewhat less equitably shared as the Portuguese visitors stunned the hosts.

With unbeaten Milan through with two games to spare, this match always looked likely to determine who would finish second in Group B. Win and Porto were through; a Bremen victory would have left the German side on the verge but draw and RSC Anderlecht lurked just behind. An early injury to Paulinho Santos was ominous for Porto but his replacement, Rui Filipe, quickly ensured it was a false dawn.

Just three minutes after his introduction the substitute let fly from distance and was rewarded for his enterprise as his shot took a wicked deflection of Andree Wiedener and looped over Oliver Reck. At the other end Vítor Baía was enjoying more luck as he made several saves. Ten minutes before half-time Emil Kostadinov struck on the break, collecting Ljubinko Drulović's pass and firing low to Reck's left.

It set the tone as Bremen pushed on in increasing desperation and Porto sought to hit on the counterattack. Midway through the second period Carlos Secretário made it three after cutting in from the right – surely, now, the visitors would ease off? Yet having seen his side's 3-0 lead in the corresponding fixture four months earlier reduced to 3-2 in a thrilling finale, Sir Bobby Robson urged his side on.

Four minutes later substitute Domingos Paciência made sure with a stunning long-range effort. Ion Timofte rubbed salt into the wounds with a last-gasp penalty after Andreas Herzog handled Domingos's shot and Porto were through to the last four.

"Of all Porto's wins, finals included, this would rate among their three or four most significant victories," former broadcater Rui Cerqueira reflected in 2012. "I think that kicked off the renaissance, an era when Porto were strong again."