Second goal from Bennie McCarthy--the round of 16 is looking ever closer. Uefa.com: FC Porto 2:0 FK Partizan
its over FC Porto -2-Partizan-1 another big win for Porto, know we can go to Real Madrid with the second team
Great result for Porto (though it's irritating that they conceded a late, sloppy goal to ruin the shutout). This clinches qualification and a spot as second in the group (though a win would make us even on points with Real, they have superior goal difference). I'm impressed at Porto's comeback from a disappointing first two games. It's surprising to think that after one-third of the group matches, they were tied with Partizan for last with only one point, two points behind OM and five adrift of Real. It will be interesting to see which of the seven group winners they face. There are some potential group winner (Monaco, Stuttgart) that I think they'd match up nicely with.
McCarthy double puts Porto through (Adds detail) OPORTO, Portugal, Nov 26 (Reuters) - South Africa striker Benni McCarthy ensured Porto qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with both goals in his side's 2-1 home win over Partizan Belgrade in Group F on Wednesday. In the opening minutes Partizan's effective defence caught Porto offside several times and the visitors were solid enough in midfield to prevent the home team from settling into a passing game. But Porto broke the stalemate in the 25th minute when McCarthy jabbed in a loose ball after Partizan goalkeeper Djordje Pantic fumbled a shot from Maniche Ribeiro. ADVERTISEMENT In-form McCarthy came close minutes later by curling the ball just past the right post and forced another save from Pantic just before the break. The visitors threatened to equalise 10 minutes from halftime when striker Andrija Delibasic spun to connect with a cross from Ivica Iliev and beat marker Paulo Ferreira to force a save out of Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia. Partizan defender Nenad Djordjevic gifted Porto their second five minutes after the restart when his back pass beat Pantic and McCarthy converted from point-blank range. Porto coach Jose Mourinho felt confident enough to rest Mccarthy 20 minutes from time and bring on Lithuanian "supersub" Edgaras Jankauskas, who set up Maniche for another shot saved by Pantic. Lothar Matthaeus's side made some spirited attacks in the closing minutes under pouring rain at the Antas Stadium but they were well contained by a Porto back four commanded by former international Jorge Costa. Delibasic gave Partizan a consolation goal in injury time by picking up a pass from Branko Savic and turning the ball past Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia.
Porto coach eyes last 16 after lacklustre win OPORTO, Portugal, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Porto coach Jose Mourinho praised his side for reaching the Champions League knockout phase but admitted their 2-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday had not been a classic game. Porto lie second in Group F, three points behind leaders Real Madrid, but they are seven ahead of Olympique Marseille, who lost 2-1 to the Spanish Champions. "The aim was achieved calmly, without too much suffering and without having to worry about the outcome of the Marseille-Real game," Mourinho said. Mourinho dismissed Porto's chances of overtaking Real Madrid at the top when the two sides meet in their final group game in Madrid on December 9. "It's a bit unreal to think that any team can go to Madrid and win by three goals. As long as Marseille and Real were drawing 1-1, we knew then that we could go there and play for first place. But now it seems unreal," he said. Mourinho was unconcerned that defender Jorge Costa and Maniche Ribeiro had deliberately picked up yellow cards in order to serve suspensions before the knock-out stage. "It's not worth the risk to field all of our players and not be better prepared for the last 16. Porto won't back-pedal in Madrid, but the away (league) game beforehand against Maritimo and the home game against Beira-Mar afterwards are much more important," he said. Partizan coach Lothar Matthaeus said he was "ashamed" of some of his players. "Porto won with just 50 percent possession. We spent a long time preparing for this tie, both physically and tactically, and we knew very well what Porto's failings were," the former German international said. "I can't accept how some players played. Today didn't turn out as we had prepared in training, as some were below their best. They spoke and gesticulated a lot but lacked determination and played little." Upda
I'm ashamed of Marseille's performances vs. Porto. I did not expect zero points from 2 games with them. I guess the ole experience factor means a lot.
Yawn. Porto's victories against Marseille prove that they are the superior team, period--excuses about experience and marseille being in a "bad period" don't change that.