Sensational late comeback earns Porto point

Sensational late comeback earns Porto point

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 FC Porto

Despite dominating for much of the match Porto looked like they were heading for defeat after falling 2-0 down in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk, but two Jackson Martínez goals in the 89th and 94th minute earned the Dragons a draw.

A point was the least Julen Lopetegui's side deserved, and it is enough to keep Porto top of Champions League Group H. The northerners also kept their unbeaten record in all competitions this season intact.

Coach Lopetegui has attracted much criticism in Portugal due to his constant rotating of the team, and his penchant for chopping and changing was evident again as Aboubakar was given a surprise full debut and Marcano used in the holding midfield role, Jackson Martínez and Ruben Neves beginning on the bench.

Truth be told, the Spaniard's team responded well, dominating possession for long spells, albeit without creating a host of chances. Indeed, Shakhatar were close to taking the lead in the 10th minutes, Fabiano saving well from Taison.

Brahimi denied

Porto were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 20th minute when Rakitskiy clearly handled Tello's cross but the visitors had the perfect opportunity to take the lead ten minutes before the break when Brahimi was upended by Stepanenko as he ran into the box and the referee this time pointed to the spot. Brahimi himself stepped up to take it, but Pyatov dived to his right to make a fine save.

The game did not change much after the break, the Portuguese team looking the more composed side, passing the ball around nicely, but lacking penetration, while Shakhtar were relying on rapid counter-attacks to cause danger.

It was a crass mistake from Oliver Torres that handed the hosts the lead, his inexplicable dithering in his own box allowing Kucher to steal the ball and square for Alex Teixeira to slot into the empty net.

Porto came back strongly with Herrera, Quintero twice, substitute Jackson Martínez and Adrián all peppering Pyatov's goal, but from practically Shakhtar's only real threat in the second half the Ukrainians doubled their lead, Bernard setting up Luiz Adriano for an easy finish.

Quick-fire Jackson double

To their credit the visitors did not throw in the towel. Ratikskiy's handball in the last minute gave Porto their second penalty, with Jackson making no mistake, and the Colombian then scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser when a good run and cross from Tello was neatly turned into the net by the Porto No.9.

"It would have been a great injustice if we lost this game, and it was a great injustice that we didn't earn the three points," said Lopetegui in his post-match interview.

by Tom Kundert

 

Shakhtar:

Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Márcio Azevedo, Stepanenko, Fernando, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Taison, Luiz Adriano

FC Porto:

Fabiano, Danilo, Maicon, Martins Indi, Alex Sandro, Herrera, Marcano (Quintero, 65'), Óliver, Tello, Aboubakar (Jackson, 65'), Brahimi (Adrián, 78')

Goals:

[1-0] Teixeira, 52'

[2-0] Luiz Adriano, 85'

[2-1] Jackson Martínez (pen), 89'

[2-2] Jackson Martínez, 94'