With a masterful and unwavering display, F.C. Porto deserved another outcome, other than the 2-2 draw, from the clash with Atlético de Madrid on the UEFA Champions League first knock-out round. Lisandro scored twice but the Dragons have had many other great chances to clinch the triumph at the Spanish capital.

The first goal opportunity of the match appeared in the first minute, with Rodríguez firing for the foremost of several decisive interventions from Leo Franco, the best of Atlético in the clash.

The home side responded with the advantage, signed by Maxi Rodríguez, but it were the Portuguese Champions to claim the superiority throughout the first half, with the attacking trident, formed by Hulk, Lisandro and Rodríguez, putting Atlético’s rearguard in permanent panic.

It wasn’t a surprise, therefore, when Lisandro pulled level on the 22nd minute, with an opportune shot in the face of the host’s goalkeeper. On the edge of the halftime, the logic of the match was once again turned upside down with the effort from Forlán dodging the expected stop from Helton, securing a totally unmerited disadvantage for the Dragons.

The reaction came with strength in the second half and, similarly to what happened along the first 45 minutes, it was of F.C. Porto the dominance in the game, again with several major chances wasted by the Dragons. Definitely destined to be in the spotlight of the match, Lisandro claimed part of the justice with his second in the clash, his sixth in the competition in which he’s the top goalscorer, levelling the score on the 72nd minute.

The authority showed by Jesualdo Ferreira’ side in the Madrid’s match opens a clear way of opportunity for the definitive closure of the round at the Dragão, in two weeks time, where the magical display of F.C. Porto can light up the qualification for the quarter-finals.

MATCH INFO

UEFA Champions League 2008/09 (First knock-out round, First leg)
Vicente Calderón Stadium, at Madrid

Referee: Howard Webb (England)
Assistants: Peter Kirkup and Michael Mullarkey
4th Official: Martin Atkinson

ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Leo Franco; Seitaridis, Pablo Ibánez, Ujfalusi and António López; Maxi Rodríguez «cap.», Paulo Assunção, Raul García and Simão; Forlán and Aguero
Substitutions: Aguero (Sinama Pongolle, 55m), Raul García (Maniche, 67m) and Maxi Rodríguez (Miguel, 80m)
Unused subs: Coupet, Pernía, Heitinga and Camacho
Coach: Abel Resino

F.C. PORTO: Helton; Sapunaru, Rolando, Bruno Alves and Cissokho; Fernando, Lucho González «cap.» and Raul Meireles; Lisandro Lopez, Hulk and Rodríguez
Substitutions: Sapunaru (Pedro Emanuel, 79m), Lisandro Lopez (Sektioui, 88m) and Raul Meireles (Tomás Costa, 90m)
Unused subs: Nuno, Stepanov, Mariano and Farías
Coach: Jesualdo Ferreira

Halftime: 2-1
Scorers: Maxi Rodríguez (3m), Lisandro Lopez (22 and 72m) and Forlán (45m)
Bookings: yellow card to Raul García (24m), Sapunaru (28m), Lisandro Lopez (60m) and Paulo Assunção (74m)