The FC Porto and Sporting clash was a real nail-biter. It took nearly three hours to decide the winner. At one point, the score was 4-4. Then it became 5-5 at the end of overtime, with a goal scored just eight seconds before the end. In the end, FC Porto won in a penalty shootout.
FC Porto and Sporting faced off in the championship semifinals.
The game started with Sporting on top. Rafael Bessa scored in the sixth minute, and Roc Pujadas added another goal three minutes later. FC Porto’s Xavi Malián was the only player who didn’t make any big mistakes early on. He saved his team from even more trouble.
Alessandro Verona and Nolito Romero both missed penalty shots, with Malián blocking Verona’s attempt. The Sporting team was in control, and FC Porto was struggling. But then Carlo Di Benedetto scored in the 18th minute, giving his team some hope.
The Turning Point
The second half was more evenly matched. Gonçalo Alves missed a free kick, but then Rafael Bessa got a blue card. Alves got another chance and scored, tying the game. The crowd went wild.
The Sporting team was getting nervous, but they still managed to score. João Souto made a great shot after Ezequiel Mena got a blue card. Then Verona set up Toni Pérez for a goal, putting Sporting up 4-2.
FC Porto was in the dumps. They committed their 10th foul, and Xavi Malián got a blue card. Leonardo Pais replaced him in goal and blocked a free kick. But then Gonçalo Alves scored two goals in two minutes, tying the game again.
The game went into overtime, where Di Benedetto scored, putting FC Porto ahead for the first time. But Verona tied the game with just eight seconds left, sending it to a penalty shootout.
In the end, FC Porto won. Gonçalo Alves was the star player, scoring two goals and leading his team to victory. The deciding game will be next Tuesday at the Pavilhão João Rocha.
- FC Porto won the penalty shootout 2-1.
- Gonçalo Alves was the best player in the game.
- The game will be deciding the championship semifinals.