In a spectacle more akin to a medieval jousting tournament than a football match, Porto’s fiery Dragons last night incinerated Arsenal’s hopes in a scorching first-leg clash at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal.
| Date 21/02/2024 – CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 | ||
| FC Porto 3 | Arsenal 1 | |
| Mario (13 ‘minutes) | HT 2-0 | Martinelli (78′ minutes) |
| Varela (34′ minutes) | ||
| Mario (58 ‘minutes) | ||
The drama unfolded from the get-go as Porto’s striker, Joao Mario, ignited the stadium with a blistering goal in the 13th minute, sending the Gunners’ defence scrambling like startled rabbits. But Arsenal, determined not to be left licking their wounds, fought back ferociously, with David Raya Martin nearly levelling the score with a thunderous strike that rattled the woodwork.
However, it was Porto’s talismanic Argentinian midfielder, Alan Varela, who truly set the pitch ablaze with a mesmerizing solo run that left the Gunners’ defense in ashes before slotting home in the 34th minute, doubling Porto’s lead and sending the home crowd into delirium.
Arsenal’s woes compounded in the second half as Porto continued their relentless assault, with Mario adding insult to injury with another scorching goal in the 58th minute, leaving Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback in tatters.
Despite a late consolation goal from Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli in the 78th minute, it was too little, too late as Porto emerged victorious with a commanding 3-1 lead, leaving Arsenal’s Champions League aspirations hanging by a thread.
Arsenal will have to come from behind to progress to the quarter-finals when the second leg comes around on March 12. After the game, Gunners’ Coach, Mikel Arteta told the SUFFOLK GAZETTE “Looking back at what happened, it’s completely unbelievable.”
