Porto made it two wins from two to start their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign after Rodrigo Mora’s late strike sealed a 2-1 victory over Crvena Zvezda, extending the visitors’ dismal run in major UEFA competitions to just two wins in 17 matches (D2, L13).
Having started the season with eight successive wins across all competitions, Porto were considered heavy favourites to continue their run against their Serbian visitors.
True to form, the Dragoes opened the scoring inside nine minutes, as 19-year-old winger William Gomes converted coolly from the penalty spot after Franklin Tebo Uchenna had clumsily fouled Deniz Gul in the area.
Crvena Zvezda came into the contest having conceded at least two goals in each of their last four UEL away matches, so Vladan Milojevic’s side knew a positive response was needed.
The visitors should have drawn level when Mirko Ivanic headed wastefully over from six yards, but an equaliser soon followed, as Vasilije Kostov found himself free in the box to fire a sublime first-time strike beyond Diogo Costa and into the far corner.
Both sides looked to stamp their authority on proceedings at the start of the second half, with Gomes seeing a swerving effort fly narrowly wide, while at the other end, Marko Arnautovic directed a good headed chance off target.
Determined to continue their 100% start to the campaign, the Dragoes upped the ante with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, but the visitors’ rearguard held firm, with Tebo Uchenna denying Mora with a brilliant last-ditch challenge.
For all Porto’s pressure, however, Crvena Zvezda remained a threat on the break, and the visitors wasted a golden opportunity to snatch all three points when substitute Bruno Duarte blazed high over the bar from eight yards.
That miss proved to be costly, as the hosts scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute, with Mora tapping home from Pepê’s unselfish lay-off to extend Porto’s remarkable start to the season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rodrigo Mora (Porto)