On Thursday night, AS Roma secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Porto at the Stadio Olimpico, following the first leg's 1-1 draw. The home side's triumph was largely thanks to the heroics of Paulo Dybala, who delivered two stunning goals and orchestrated the attack throughout the match.
The night began with drama as Porto took the lead early on. After just 27 minutes, Samu Omorodion struck with an incredible overhead kick, giving the visitors the advantage. Roma’s goalkeeper, Svilar, made a poor pass to Paredes, which led to the goal—a mistake reminiscent of the first-leg encounter.
Yet the Giallorossi did not back down. Just eight minutes later, Dybala brought his team level. He executed a quick one-two with Shomurodov, skillfully maneuvering around his marker before firing home with his left foot. Dybala’s equalizer was not just timely but also ignited the fervor of the home crowd, revitalizing Roma's spirits.
Less than five minutes later, Dybala struck again. This time, he combined seamlessly with Koné, driving through Porto’s defense and scoring with precision to make it 2-1. With Roma leading, they gained confidence, and Dybala was at the heart of their ambitions all night.
The momentum shifted early in the second half when Porto's Eustaquio was shown a direct red card after hitting Paredes, leaving the Portuguese side with only ten players. The dismissal handed Roma control, and they capitalized on their numerical advantage.
Despite this, there was no letting up for Roma; they continued to press forward. Shomurodov, after missing numerous chances, had another close opportunity but failed to capitalize just yards from goal. That near miss seemed to be forgettable, as Roma eventually extended their lead to 3-1 when Pisilli scored from a well-placed cross by Dybala, reinforcing their dominance.
Despite Roma's control, the end of the match saw yet another twist. An own goal by Rensch brought Porto back to within one, but with only moments remaining, it wasn't enough to alter the outcome as Roma held on for the win. The final whistle sealed their place in the next round, celebrating the first positive moment for Italian teams this European season after earlier exits by Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus.
Post-match, the accolades poured in for Dybala, who marked the night as one of his finest performances yet, akin to the magic of his best days. His ability to dictate play and find the back of the net was celebrated by fans and analysts alike. One can only wait and see who Roma will face next, with potential matchups against either Athletic Bilbao or their fierce rivals, Lazio, looming. The draw is set to occur on Friday at 1 PM on Sky channels.
Mario Ranieri, Roma's head coach, was visibly pleased with his team's resilience and the quality shown by Dybala, stating, "Tonight was about magic and teamwork, something we've been striving to display all season. Paolo stepped up significantly when we needed him most." With performances like this, Roma has rekindled their hopes for European glory this season and will be eager to keep the momentum rolling.
For now, the Giallorossi can celebrate this well-earned victory, pleased to keep the flag flying high for Italian soccer on the European stage. Fans have high hopes for what is to come, as this match may well be the catalyst for success as the tournament progresses.