On February 20, 2025, AS Roma triumphed over FC Porto with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Stadio Olimpico, securing their place in the next round of the Europa League. The match was marked by a standout performance from Paulo Dybala, who scored twice within four minutes to turn the tide for the Giallorossi.
The tie remained tense following a controversial first leg, which ended 1-1. Notably, both Bryan Cristante and Alexis Saelemaekers were unavailable for the match due to suspensions, and Roma had to adapt to these challenges. On the other hand, Porto, under the guidance of new coach Martin Anselmi, approached the game with growing confidence, having remained unbeaten since his appointment.
Porto initially took the lead with a spectacular overhead kick from Samu Aghehowa at the 27th minute after Roma's goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, struggled with his distribution. The goal came as Roma seemed to command the early exchanges, but one mistake allowed Porto to seize the advantage.
Roma responded quickly, with Dybala igniting hope for the home fans. Just eight minutes after Porto scored, Dybala netted his first goal of the evening, thanks to a clever one-two with Eldor Shomurodov. He showcased his technical prowess by deftly dinking the ball past the Porto goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, from close range. This goal sprang life back to the Roma squad, and the momentum shifted dramatically.
Dybala was not finished yet. Just four minutes later, he struck again, this time delivering another class act by firing past Costa from the near post after breaking down the right wing. His relentless energy and creative play sparked the home crowd, who roared their approval as Roma turned the scoreline to 2-1.
With Porto reeling from the rapid shift, the game took another turn shortly after halftime when Porto's midfielder, Stephen Eustaquio, was sent off. His reaction foul on Leandro Paredes was deemed aggressive, following a VAR review. The dismissal left Porto with ten men and effectively swung the match's balance firmly toward Roma.
Despite the numerical advantage, Roma struggled to capitalize fully, with Shomurodov missing golden opportunities to extend the lead. At times, Porto proved dangerous even with fewer players, such as when Samu hit the post with only Svilar to beat.
The decisive moment arrived late when Dybala orchestrated another impressive play, sending Angeliño down the left flank. His pull-back found Niccolò Pisilli who hit the ball home, extending the lead to 3-1. This goal bolstered Roma's grip on the match and sent the home fans wild.
Although Porto managed to collect some pride through Rensch’s own goal during stoppage time, it was too late to affect the final outcome, sealing the game at 3-2 on aggregate. The victory not only marked Roma's progression to the last-16 but also displayed the team's resilience and determination, especially with Dybala leading the charge.
After the match, Gianluca Mancini reflected on the result stating, "We need to improve to reach the top,” indicating areas for development as the team strives for consistency. The win set the stage for Roma's next challenge, where they await either Lazio or Athletic Club Bilbao, presenting another opportunity for the team to shine on the European stage.
This victory was not just about the scoreline. It represented Roma's indomitable spirit and Dybala's brilliance, positioning them as contenders to be reckoned with as the tournament progresses. The anticipation for the next round is building as fans await to see how the Giallorossi will fare against their next opponent.