Don’t let the 1-0 scoreline fool you, FC Porto dominated Paris Saint-German at the Estádio do Dragão. It was 21-year-old James Rodríguez’s wonder strike that won it, but it could have been much, much worse for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
FC Porto vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Final score 1-0, Porto wins on a sublime late goal
James Rodríguez’s wonderful strike in the 83rd minute gives Porto a well deserved three points over a poor Paris Saint-Germain.
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How dominate were Porto? They out shot a solid offensive PSG side 20-6.
Porto generated several great chances all of which either went off target or were swatted away by PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu. Zlatan Ibrahimović had to two best chances for PSG but was denied once Porto's goalkeeper Helton and mishit an open header, sending his shot just over the crossbar.
While Porto did a wonderful job of using their width and stretching apart the French side’s defense to create space for their attackers to exploit, PSG were far to narrow and had little organization or flow with their attack.
More of the same to start the second half as Porto continued to poor on the pressure, but couldn’t score. To PSG’s credit, they made two excellent defensive plays to keep this scoreless. Porto looked certain to go ahead in the 60th minute after a poor giveaway in the midfield led to a quick counter attack. João Moutinho calmy held on long enough to draw in the wide defender before passing to a wide open Silvestre Varela on the left side of the box. Sirigu came charging off his line and blocked Varela’s shot with a beautiful slide tackle. Varela was left to stand with his hands on his hands, wondering how he didn’t score.
Just when it look like PSG would escape with an undeserved point, Porto finally broke through in the 83rd minute. Fernando sent a cross in to the box from the left side that was first headed by a PSG defender, before being flicked on to the right side by XX where James Rodríguez was waiting. Rodríguez waited for the ball to bounce before opening himself up and hitting a sublime strike that got past a diving Sirigu and tucked nicely inside the far post. Fantastic strike and a well deserved goal for Porto.
The win propels Porto in to first place in Group A with six points while PSG will be left to re-group and console themselves with the knowledge they are still in second place.
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