game set to start... I have a better link if you want to see the game... coming up in a few minutes: You need Media Player version 10 here it is: mms://80.67.86.109/D/1991/22299/v0001/reflector:52900 enjoy!
I'm really crossing my fingers that Benfica and Porto will end up beating the english giants today... Forca Porto a ganhar os bretoes!!
game over. Porto 0 Arsenal 0 Porto should have won this game. Quaresma hits the post twice and was unlucky. Once again, player of the game. Ahead we go!
Porto unlucky not to get the win, Quaresma hit the post twice. Thanks to Hamburg for ensuring we went through without any last minute surprises by Arsenal FORCA FC PORTO
Game summary from UEFA's website: Arsenal FC and FC Porto made their way into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League as winners and runners-up respectively in Group G after a goalless but thrilling encounter in Portugal. Point required Both sides knew before kick-off that a point would be enough for them to hold off PFC CSKA Moskva and secure progress but the Portuguese champions constantly pressed for the victory that would have taken them through as section leaders, with Ricardo Quaresma twice striking the post early in the second half. The hosts were unable to capitalise on their superiority, however, allowing Arsenal to clinch top spot courtesy of their 2-0 home success in the reverse fixture on Matchday 2. Quaresma industry Any cynics who viewed the game as an opportunity for these clubs, each with a UEFA Champions League final appearance in the last three seasons, to relax were confounded by Quaresma. The mercurial winger tormented the Arsenal defence from the outset, making light work of the visitors' five-man midfield and finding space to exhibit his dazzling array of skills. Quaresma started the night on Porto's left wing and in Fucile he found a willing partner, the left-back drifting inside Aleksandr Hleb in the 22nd minute and finding Hélder Postiga with a precise pass though the striker could only shoot straight at Jens Lehmann. Porto press With the suspended Thierry Henry's replacement, Emmanuel Adebayor, more static and isolated than the Frenchman tends to be, Arsenal struggled to retain possession. As Wenger emerged from his dugout to demand more impact from his players Quaresma added to the sense of menace, flighting an outrageous lob from 40 metres that even the tall Lehmann had to stretch to hold underneath his crossbar. As Porto hit their rhythm, Quaresma and Lisandro Lopéz swapped flanks and the switch almost paid dividends within moments as only a top-class intervention from Kolo Touré prevented Postiga from heading his team in front, before Paulo Assunção threatened with a superb long-range drive. Arsenal escapes Within three minutes of the restart Quaresma came close to finally earning his reward with a goal as Lucho González laid a perfect pass beyond Gaël Clichy for the overlapping Lisandro Lopéz, whose cross fell for Quaresma to crack a right-footed shot off the post with Lehmann beaten. Although Cesc Fabregas replied with a free-kick into the arms of Helton, Porto were in total command, and just before the hour Quaresma tricked his way past Johan Djourou on the edge of the area and once more his attempt beat Lehmann only for the same post to come to Arsenal's rescue. Opponents satisfied However, Fabregas worked tirelessly to ensure that Arsenal were not totally overrun and late substitute Robin van Persie added energy to Arsenal's efforts to push the contest towards the Porto penalty box. Ultimately, though, both sides were more than happy with the point, although CSKA's defeat at Hamburger SV meant they would have advanced regardless of the result here.
Very good crowd on hand for this game: 45,609 in the stands http://www.ojogo.pt/22-289/artigo596670.htm
AWenger says in an interview that Porto were stronger than in London and that Arsenal were lucky to get those 2 shots off the post: http://www.ojogo.pt/22-289/artigo596668.htm
Some stats from this game (UEFA's website) Clubs Statistics Porto Arsenal 0 Goals scored 0 0 Yellow card 0 0 Red card 0 5 Shots on goal 1 6 Shots wide 2 9 Fouls committed 13 5 Corners 4 2 Offsides 1 28' 52'' Ball. Poss. (time) 32' 33'' 47% Ball. Poss. (%) 53%
Confirmed: Quaresma voted MOTM (Man of the Match) on UEFA's website: Group G: FC Porto 0-0 Arsenal FC Ricardo Quaresma (Porto) The Portuguese international has been in arguably the best form of his career this season and he was at his best as Porto made sure of their place in the last 16. He dazzled on the left wing in the first half and was very unlucky not to give Porto the win they needed when he twice struck the same post in the second half http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/MOTM/MD=6/DAY=2.html
one of these teams will be Porto's opponent in the next round: Chelsea, Liverpool, Lyon, Bayern Munich, Valencia, Man Utd. or AC Milan...
Porto were clearly the better team, and the only one of the two that went for a win. Quaresma has once again succeeded in increasing his price tag .
Well, Arsenal came for a tie and got just that...so who in reality was the better team? Since Arsenal still won the group. I am not trying to Knock Porto as they had some bad luck with Quaresma hitting the post twice, but keeping things in perspective...Porto at home is expected to play for a win and Arsenal on the road only needing a tie managed to do just that. Congrats to Porto for advancing, and keeping the Portuguese CL hopes alive.
so because Arsenal came in for a tie and got it, that means they were the better team? So, to put things in perspective: Bayern supposedly went in to Alvalade for a win, and they got it, but undoubtely Sporting played the better game. Was Bayern the better team, or wasn't the score in that game a travesty?
I hear you loud and clear...and your analogy is very good...but in the end we can whine and cry but the score has to mean something... right And shame on you for bringing that up... Afterall this is the Porto forum...