Porto snatch last-gasp victory at Club Brugge
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
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André Silva kept his cool to slot in a 93rd-minute penalty as Porto came from behind to sink Club Brugge and revive their own UEFA Champions League hopes.
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André Silva converted a 93rd-minute penalty as Porto breathed new life into their faltering UEFA Champions League campaign and sounded the death knell for Club Brugge's in the process.
For three-quarters of this match the outlook was decidedly rosy for the Belgian hosts, with Jelle Vossen's cool finish giving them the lead on 12 minutes. Yet amid mounting pressure, Miguel Layún struck a fine equaliser midway through the second half, paving the way for the dramatic finale.
In added time Jesús Corona went down under a clumsy challenge and André Silva displayed composure well beyond his 20 years to send the keeper the wrong way.
Key player: André Silva
What a month this is turning out to be for the youngster! A hat-trick for Portugal (the youngest to achieve the feat and the quickest to boot), and now a last-gasp winner in the UEFA Champions League. A thorn in Club Brugge's side throughout the second period, once he placed the ball on the spot the result was never in doubt. His eighth goal in seven outings.
Beaten, black and blues
"I hope we can get out of this corner where we are taking the punches," Michel Preud'homme had said before the game. His Brugge team certainly came out fighting, and drew first blood when Vossen thumped in the opener. Yet they could not sustain it and the minute the equaliser went in they were on the ropes. André Silva delivered the knockout blow.
Reporter's view
Berend Scholten, Club Brugge (@UEFAcomBerendS)
Preud'homme made wholesale changes to his line-up and formation, and they worked pretty well. Anthony Limbombe's penetration down the left wing led to Vossen's breakthrough goal, Brugge's first of this UEFA Champions League campaign. It looked like being enough, at least for a point, only for the cruel ending. After losing 3-0 and 4-0 it was an improvement, but it will not feel like that right now.