FC Porto secured a much-needed victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv, triumphing 1-0 at the Partizan Stadium, Belgrade, to advance to the play-off round of the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League. The Portuguese giants entered the match slap bang on the line of qualification, facing Maccabi, who were equally desperate for points.
The significance of this match was palpable, as only victory would keep their hopes alive for the knockout stages. For Porto, who had been struggling with form, the pressure was on. Despite the anticipation, the first half unfolded with little action. Both sides appeared cagey, possibly due to the high stakes, and aside from some speculative attempts, it was quite drab.
While there were murmurs of expectation from the Porto supporters, it took until the 40th minute for Maccabi to register their first shot on target—a wayward attempt from Dor Turgeman. This encapsulated the first half perfectly; both teams seemed hesitant to go for broke.
Things began to shift after halftime, though. Porto's Joao Mario began to exert influence and set the tone for the second period. It was he who almost turned the tide with a well-placed pass for Danny Namaso, but the striker misfired, rolling the ball wide of the post. The miss was pivotal, as it served as warning shot for the hosts.
Shortly after, Joao Mario's persistence paid off when he swung another cross, flicked by Nico Gonzalez, directing the ball past the Maccabi goalie. The goal breathed new life not only to Porto but also to Maccabi, who immediately sought to respond. A curling shot by Osher Davida, only minutes later, clattered off the crossbar, leaving the Maccabi contingent on the edge of their seats.
Yet, Porto’s defense held firm, surviving tense moments as Maccabi found their rhythm. The home side came within inches of leveling the score when Stav Lemkin’s flick sent pulses racing, but Porto was spared when Otavio redirected the ball safely out of danger.
The nail-biting climax saw Porto ride their luck. An offside call denied Maccabi what could have been the equalizer, as Dor Peretz found the back of the net barely moments before the whistle. Porto’s defense, bolstered by the experience of Diogo Costa, managed to withstand late pushes from Maccabi.
Post-match, FC Porto’s coach Anselmi appeared relieved, having ended their five-match winless streak. He noted, “Thanks to results elsewhere, it takes Porto comfortably to the play-off round.” This victory set them up well for their upcoming challenge against either AS Roma or Viktoria Plzen, providing their supporters with renewed hope.
For Maccabi, this defeat marked yet another disappointment, compounding their struggles as they look to shift focus back to local competition after what has been yet another tangle of missed opportunities on the European stage. They can now only aim to find their form and maintain their title defense back home.
FC Porto's recent form—two wins from seven Europa League matches—highlights the challenges the team has faced, where consistency has been hard-fought. Still, this pivotal win allows them to breathe again, counting down to the decisive matches against prominent European clubs.
Back on form, Porto's players will hope to build momentum, with stars like Joao Mario likely to play pivotal roles as they continue their campaign on the continental stage. The pressure of the league coupled with Europa League ambitions creates intriguing narratives for fans, eagerly awaiting how the team copes with the challenges ahead.