Hulk helps Porto beat Beşiktaş

FC Porto kept their perfect Group L record intact with a 3-1 win at Beşiktaş JK, whose own 100% start to the campaign is now over.

It was a fine evening for Porto despite the dismissal of Maicon two minutes before half-time and Fernando in the 89th minute. They were one to the good through Falcao before the first dismissal and took a stranglehold on the match – and the section – through two second-half goals from Hulk. Bobô scored an added-time consolation for Bernd Schuster's side.

Two early corners for Porto signalled their intent and served as a warning that Beşiktaş would not have it all their own way in Istanbul. The first serious threat arrived from Fernando Belluschi, who robbed Fabian Ernst of possession and struck towards Hakan Arıkan's goal. Hulk was first on the scene but was unable to convert the rebound.

It mattered not, though, for Porto were in front on 26 minutes thanks to Falcao's header from a corner. Nihat Kahveci could have drawn the hosts level soon after thanks to a fine pass by Mert Nobre but Helton was not to be beaten. Beşiktaş's task, however, appeared to ease slightly when Maicon was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bobô.

Indeed, the Turkish side were buoyed by their numerical advantage and enjoyed a brief flurry of pressure after the break. It amounted to nothing and Porto were two to the good just before the hour when Hulk pounced on Tomáš Zápotočný's missed interception. The burly striker repeated the trick with 12 minutes left to seal the result, although there was time for Bobô to give some late solace to  the home fans, scoring after Porto had a second player, Fernando, dismissed.