The match in Estádio do Dragão started with a small surprise. Pepe appeared tonight as a right-back for FC Porto, in the place usually occupied by Joao Mario. The situation is not entirely familiar to him, having finished several games as the right-hand man in the back sector, but it is not customary for him to start the game in this position. As a teammate, the Portuguese international featured Ottavio, floating between the midfield and the right wing.
The resistance of Portimonense – which even managed to intimidate FC Porto, on its own initiative and due to Zaidu’s mistake that almost isolated Aponza – lasted for 20 minutes. In a very direct attack, the Dragon bet on the central lane for a quick transition and ended up finding Fábio Vieira on the left lane. Through Taremi, he received almost with his back to the goal, and with his left foot, a shot for the count.
The door was open. Seven minutes later and in a corner kick that seemed to be missed, And Grujic took advantage of the confusion at the approach of the goal, in the fall, for a 2-0 shot.
Since there are no two without three, the 3-0 score came to 34 minutes. Atavio cleared his headlines behind Lazar and was already pushed into the penalty area. Thiago Martins goal to a penalty kick and Taremi conversion.
Five more minutes, another goal. This time, Pepe left the touchline and reached the edge of the penalty area to find Evanelson unmarked. The striker received the sprint and, To the right of the penalty area, he hit a low cross to make the score 4-0.
Sérgio Conceição took the opportunity in the first half to change the squad early, so Otavio and Zaido no longer entered the field: Francisco Conceição and Wendell came in in their place. What also came at the start of the second half was the ball, again in Portimonense’s goal.
Vitina gave the ball to Fabio Vieira who, on the right, crossed to the far post. Taremi jumped and headed alone with a 5-0 score to complete a hat-trick.
But there was more in store tonight for Dragon Pads. In another corner kick, this time from the left side, the ball found Pepe heading towards the goal where Payam was no longer.
After scoring, Pepe also wanted to help build a goal. Francisco Conceição fired from the right and Taremi ended up shooting at the post. The Portuguese took advantage of the missing ball to hit a cross pass that found Evanelson ready to shoot 7-0.
Sérgio Conceição has seized the opportunity to make new changes: it has taken Taremi, Pepe and Vitinha to launch Toni Martínez, Fábio Cardoso and Eustáquio.
FC Porto, the leaders of the championship, receives Portimonense, on Saturday, in the thirtieth round of the Portuguese Football League, with the aim of winning and putting pressure on Sporting, second-placed, before the derby match with Benfica. In Dragão, there is also a goal to consolidate a record: Sérgio Conceição’s team is trying to add the 58th game in a row without losing the tournament. Portimonense, coached by Paolo Sergio, comes from a 1-0 win over Famalecao, in the final round, and is 12th with 32 points.
Porto XI: Diogo Costa, Pepe, Mbemba, Pepe, Zedo, Grujic, Fabio Vieira, Vitina, Ottavio, Evanelson and Taremi
Eleven from Portimonense: Payam, Fahd Movi, Lazar, Dacosta, Pedro Sa, Goku, Sana, Anderson, Carlinhos, Abonza and Fabricio
The match is refereed by Tiago Martins and assisted by Bruno Jesus and Hugo Ribeiro. In VAR is Vitor Ferreira.
Porto subs: Marchesin, Fabio Cardoso, Francisco Conceicao, Galeño, Wendell, Tony Martinez, Fernando Andrade, Lauder and Eustaccio.
Portimonense alternatives: Kosuke, Samuel, Luquinha, Relvas, Paulo Estrela, Diogo, Angulo, Bruno Reis