AFCON 2025
The UEFA Europa League play-off tie between Porto and AS Roma is finely poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Roma will welcome Porto to the Stadio Olimpico for the second leg next Thursday.
The first half was intense but lacked clear chances. Porto’s Diogo Costa was the busier goalkeeper, making routine saves from Paolo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini before Roma took the lead on the stroke of halftime through Zeki Çelik.
The game burst into life around the hour mark. Costa made a stunning reflex save to stop Bryan Cristante’s header, and Porto finally equalised through Moura’s deflected strike, just past the hour mark.
Cristante was sent off to make for a thrilling finale as Porto gained momentum. Despite the pressure, they couldn’t find a winner and have now won just five of their past 26 UEFA knockout fixtures.
Roma will be happy with the draw, especially after being reduced to 10 men, and will be confident of getting the job done at home next week.
