Dortmund complete eye-catching triumph
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Article summary
Porto 0-1 Dortmund (agg: 0-3)
Luckless goalkeeper Iker Casillas was credited with an own goal as Thomas Tuchel's side weathered a storm in northern Portugal.
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Article body
- Iker Casillas own goal leaves Porto needing four goals after 2-0 first-leg defeat
- Home side unable to make most of their pressure
- Yacine Brahimi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit woodwork for either side late on
- Apply for tickets for UEFA Europa League final at Basel's St. Jakob-Park
- Round of 16 draw takes place on Friday, streamed live from 13.00CET
Iker Casillas's own goal earned Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 win over Porto and confirmed their UEFA Europa League round of 16 place.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the home side started at breakneck speed, but as the heavens opened in northern Portugal, their hopes of progressing were all but extinguished. Casillas produced a wonderful save from Marco Reus's volley, yet the ball cannoned off him and into the net after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's follow-up had crashed off the crossbar.
Away goal secured, Dortmund sat back. Evandro fired wide following a mazy run before Silvestre Varela's header forced visiting keeper Roman Bürki into a full-length save just before the break. Vincent Aboubakar's impish flick was well smothered by Bürki as Porto continued where they left off, though Dortmund menaced on the counter, Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both having efforts disallowed for offside.
Bürki produced another smart stop late on to deny Porto a consolation before home substitute Yacine Brahimi rattled the crossbar and Mkhitaryan saw his attempt smash against the post.
Aubameyang resplendent
The Gabon forward was a thorn in Porto's side, the 26-year-old exemplifying Dortmund's high-intensity pressing game, leading from the front and denying the home defence a moment's peace. In the right place at the right time to help force the goal, Aubameyang's lightning pace on the counter led him to beat Casillas – but not the offside flag – after half-time.
Tale of two keepers
Casillas's record in eight UEFA matches against Dortmund is W2 D2 L4, with defeats in his last three encounters with the German team. His unfortunate own goal confirmed Porto's fate while opposite number Bürki made three good saves en route to keeping a clean sheet in both legs.
Supporter power
The Dragão crowd did both sides credit. Dortmund's travelling contingent and the Porto faithful were in full voice for the whole 90 minutes. Before kick-off, the home fans held up a banner reading (in English) 'never give up!' – and though the tide turned against them, they never did.
