Cristiano Ronaldo fired Manchester United FC into the last four of the UEFA Champions League as his breathtaking early goal broke the resistance of his compatriots from FC Porto.

World-class effort
United’s Portuguese forward may have had a mixed season but his world-class talent has never been in doubt and he underlined it here with the 35-metre strike that secured a 3-2 aggregate victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side who – in the process – became the first English team to win at Porto. History has never been an impediment to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has rewritten the record books in over two decades at Old Trafford, and his quintuple-chasing team can now look forward to a semi-final against Arsenal FC with renewed heart having rediscovered their defensive solidity here with a first clean sheet in six matches.

Stunner
Just as Porto shot out of the starting blocks at Old Trafford so United seized the early initiative here. There seemed no danger when Ronaldo collected a short pass from Anderson – a surprise starter but effective against his old team. However, the United No7 looked up and, before Aly Cissokho could get close, let fly from 35 metres, sending the ball on a trajectory into the top right corner of Helton’s goal.

Ronaldo Magic Seals United Progress … read more »

On a night of high drama at Old Trafford, FC Porto fought back to earn a 2-2 at Manchester United FC thanks to an 89th-minute equaliser from substitute Mariano.

Absorbing
United looked to have snatched victory from this absorbing quarter-final first leg when their own substitute Carlos Tévez put them 2-1 in front with six minutes remaining but Mariano’s even later intervention means that just as they did five years ago, Porto left Old Trafford celebrating a draw. It was richly deserved too, Porto going in front through Cristián Rodríguez’s fourth-minute strike – his first in the UEFA Champions League – and continuing to trouble United even after Wayne Rooney’s equaliser on the quarter-hour.

Early strike
Where Porto’s 1-1 draw here took them past United in the 2003/04 first knockout round, this result – and performance – will give Jesualdo Ferreira’s team real hope of ousting the champions in next Wednesday’s second leg in Portugal. Porto fulfilled Ferreira’s pre-game promise that his players would rise to the occasion, attacking United from the off. Lisandro gave United an early warning when he tested Edwin van der Sar with a near-post drive inside the third minute. Sixty seconds later the Dutch goalkeeper was beaten. Cristiano Ronaldo lost the ball inside his own half and though Jonny Evans intercepted Lucho’s through pass, the Northern Irishman diverted the ball straight to Rodríguez, who cut inside and drove a left-footed shot across Van der Sar and into the far corner.

Last-gasp Mariano Goal Puts Porto in Position … read more »

Porto 0 – 0 Atlético

Club Atlético de Madrid were made to pay for their cavalier defending in the first leg as FC Porto progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2003/04.

Porto on top
Ultimately Lisandro’s two away goals in the 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderón a fortnight ago proved the difference between the sides, but it could have been much, much more. The hosts dominated from the off, Bruno Alves being denied by the woodwork early on; he would not be the last. For all their intent the Spanish visitors never really looked like stealing the initiative and it was they who ended the match on the back foot, only a combination of keeper Leo Franco’s brilliance and Porto’s profligacy ensuring a goalless draw on the night.

Attacking vim
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira said on the eve of the game that he believed attack would be the best form of defence at the Estádio do Dragão, and if that adage is true then they were watertight in the opening stages. Within two minutes of kick-off, Rolando had headed a Lucho free-kick narrowly wide and it proved a sign of things to come. Lisandro threatened following Hulk’s fine cross-field pass, his effort being deflected wide, before a long-range Raul Meireles shot looped up off a defender and into the grateful arms of Franco.

Porto Prove Too Strong For Atlético … read more »

Lisandro took his UEFA Champions League tally to six goals for the campaign as FC Porto twice came from behind to earn a well-deserved draw against Club Atlético de Madrid.

Helton error
Maxi Rodríguez got the hosts off to a perfect start in the Spanish capital with a third-minute opener, but from then on the Portuguese visitors held sway. Having already had one effort chalked out, Lisandro equalised midway through the first half and, though a Helton error allowed Diego Forlán to restore Atlético’s lead just before the interval, the Argentinian striker was not to be denied the limelight.

Early blow
The away goals could prove crucial in a fortnight, an invaluable return considering that, from when defender Fucile picked up a knock in pre-match training, it never looked like being Porto’s night. Cristian Săpunaru came in at right-back, but it was on the opposite flank that the visitors initially struggled as competition debutant Cissokho was made to pay for drifting inside on three minutes. The lapse allowed Maxi Rodríguez to latch on to a well-weighted ball from Sergio Agüero and fire in his third goal of the campaign.

Lisandro Keeps Atlético in Porto’s Sights … read more »