Porto in control after first-leg win
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-03-24 09:57

Porto established themselves as overwhelming favourites to reach the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Lyon with a 2-0 victory over the French league leaders in Oporto on Tuesday evening.

Porto soccer player Francisco Costinha (R) challenges Olympique Lyon Michael Essien (L) during their European Champions League quarter final first leg match held at Dragon stadium in Porto March 23, 2004. {Reuters]

The quarter-final first leg was dominated more by technichal excellence than exhilarating individual play and the scoreline was a fair reflection of 90 minutes during which Porto proved superior in all areas of the field.

It did, however, take until shortly before the interval for Porto to capitalise on their first-half dominance.

Goalscorer Deco knew little about his strike, unintentionally deflecting Benni McCarthy's cross-shot into the net from close range, but the Portuguese outfit were deserving of the good fortune.

Lyon enjoyed their best spell after the restart but young French internationals Sidney Govou and Peguy Luyindula could find no way past a resilient home defence.

Porto took full control of the tie when Ricardo Carvalho headed home Deco's 71st-minute free-kick and it was they who finished the stronger with McCarthy again testing Gregory Coupe's reactions.

With opponents so difficult to break down on the rare occasions they can be dispossessed, Lyon will know they face a Herculean task to progress now.

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Anti-China motion disrupts human rights dialogue         Powell: US observes one-China policy         NASA: Salty sea covered part of Mars         Japan nixes WWII labourers' pay         And the Beijing Olympic mascot is...         US sets up copter base in Afghan mountains	Kaka inspires Milan comeback       Porto in control after first-leg win       Women basketball centers to have new coach from France       Shen Xiangfu: I'm not quitting       Rockets find resolve, thwart Blazers in OT       Beijing delays in choosing Olympic partners