FC Porto Vs. Sporting Braga, 2011 UEFA Europa League Final: Porto Capture Title With 1-0 Win

In a performance where they were in control for almost the entire match, FC Porto have been crowned champions of the 2010-11 UEFA Europa League after beating fellow Portuguese side Sporting Braga by a score of 1-0 in Dublin. Radamel Falcao, the record holder for most goals ever scored in one European campaign, was the man who scored the winner, notching his 17th goal of the season in Europe.

The game wasn’t quite as open and littered with chances as many expected, but that seems fairly standard for a cup final. Braga were fairly unwilling to come out of their shell before Falcao scored, and once he did they didn’t have the required quality to create a high volume of quality chances on Porto’s goal. Porto’s defense looked slightly shaky at times, but their midfield was rock solid while Nicolas Otamendi and Rolando covered for all of their mistakes.

Falcao’s goal came in the 44th minute, assisted by Fredy Guarin. After a Braga giveaway, Guarin picked up the ball and put a cross into the box, and Falcao headed the ball into the back of the net.

Braga pushed all of their men forward in a desperation move at the end of the game, but they never posed any serious threat to Porto’s goal. Andre Villas Boas’ men have won the tournament in seriously deserving fashion, steamrolling quality teams en route to a nearly perfect competition victory.