1-3:The White's beat Porto!



The warning at Mestalla took effect at Das Antas. Real have taken a big step towards the Champions League last-sixteen round following today’s 1-3 win against Porto. Helguera, Solari and Zidane’s targets were the reward to the Whites’ practical and effective play. Local player Costinha opened the score giving rise to some fear in the 1300 white fans that had traveled to Portugal. But there is more value to this win considering the fact that Beckham did not appear and Raúl only came on when the game was already solved. The three points earned tonight add up to the other three from Marseille, which all together puts the Whites at the top of the Group F.

Porto gave an early warning with Pedro Mendes’ long-range shot, though the local goal came later on in the sixth minute. Casillas saved a shot by Derlei and Costinha only had to chip the ball into the net. The goal knocked Real out and left them uncapable of stopping the home side’s drive. Mourinho’s plane was working fine. The pressure and the quick movement of the ball prevented Guti and Helguera from linking to the foward line.

Real was going through their worst moments. They did not manage to put one dangerous action together and the home side did not allow them into their ground. But just then Figo came up with some of his best play this season. Valente could do nothing to stop his country fellow and then we started to see more danger on Baía’s goal. Santiago Solari kicked a centre shot that was missed by Ronaldo, though not by Helguera who headed the ball taking the goalie by surprise (27’).

THE MATCH:
1 – PORTO: Baia; Pedro Emanuel (Jankauskas 69´), Ricardo Carvalho, Costinha, Nuno Valente, Deco, Derlei, Maniche, Paulo Ferreira, Pedro Mendes (Bosingwa 45´) and Ricardo Fernández (McCarthy 45´).
3 – REAL MADRID: Casillas; Míchel Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Pavon, Raul Bravo; Helguera, Guti, Solari (Cambiasso, +91'), Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo (Raul 82´).
GOALS:
1-0, min.6: Costinha cuts off a save by Casillas.
1-1, min.27: Solari kicks a centre shot from the left and Helguera beats Baía with a header.
1-2, min.36: Zidane begins a counterattack, Ronaldo carries on with it, Roberto Carlos passes it to Solari who dribbles past Baía and beats him.
1-3, min.66: Zidane stages a rehearsed move from Figo’s kick.
REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (Italy). He cautioned Pavón (6´), Helguera (18´), Deco (70´)
OTHER FACTS: Champions League Matchday 2, Group F. Das Antas Stadium. 3/4attendance (37.506 people). Carlos Queiroz ruled out Jurado, Riki and Borja. Florentino Pérez watched the game at the royal box. About 1.500 Spanish followers were present at the stands.