PORTO, Portugal: With a convincing performance at home, Porto beat Leipzig 3-1 to reach second place in Group G of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Hector Herrera put the Portuguese hosts ahead with a shot from inside the area early in the first half before Timo Werner came off the bench to equalize for Leipzig just after halftime.
Danilo broke the deadlock from close range after a free kick later in the second half and Maxi Pereira sealed Porto’s victory in a breakaway move in injury time, leaving the 2004 champions in good position to advance to the knockout stage for the second straight season.
Porto reached six points from four matches, two points more than Leipzig but four fewer than Besiktas — held 1-1 by Monaco in Turkey in the group’s other game Wednesday. Last-place Monaco has two points.
“In the first game in Germany, Leipzig surprised us as they were a team we didn’t know very well,” Herrera said. “Tonight we were better positioned and closed a lot of spaces.”
Leipzig had beaten Porto 3-2 two weeks ago.
“It was a strong game from us,” Porto coach Sergio Conceicao said. “We worked well as a unit and didn’t suffer as we did in Germany in the first meeting. We nullified our opponent’s strengths for large parts.”
Danilo appeared to be offside when he scored Porto’s second goal at the Estadio do Dragao.
Werner surprisingly didn’t make the starting lineup for Leipzig, but the 21-year-old German international made an impact as soon as he came on with a shot over goalkeeper Jose Sa from just inside the area for the equalizer.
“It was an even contest,” Leipzig defender Bernardo said. “The final score of 3-1 isn’t a good reflection of the match as a whole. Things are still very much open (in the group). We believe we are as good as our opponents and we’re going to fight to get through.”
Porto, which had lost four straight games against German clubs, lost Moussa Marega because of an injury in the 12th minute.
Porto next plays at Besiktas, while Leipzig is at Monaco.
Porto beats Leipzig 3-1 to move 2nd in CL group
Porto beats Leipzig 3-1 to move 2nd in CL group
WWE star praises Saudi fans as excitement builds on eve of Royal Rumble in Riyadh
- The event on Saturday at the newly built, 25,000-seater KAFD Arena will be the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America
- Saudi fans ‘are so energetic and loud … They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania,’ says WWE star Matt Cardona
RIYADH: A landmark Royal Rumble weekend in Riyadh got underway on Friday, with WWE superstar Matt Cardona sharing his impressions of Saudi Arabia and the local fans as momentum built for the promotion’s marquee premium live event on Saturday.
The event, part of Riyadh Season, is the first “Big Five” WWE show of the year and the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America. It will take place at the newly built KAFD Arena, which was constructed in a record-breaking time of just 35 days, and has seating for about 25,000 fans, an open-roof design and what are described as immersive architectural elements.
In recent years, WWE has expanded its global footprint by staging major events across the Middle East and Europe, offering fans in Saudi Arabia and other countries the opportunity to see their favorite fighters in action.
Cardona told Arab News that the relationship between WWE and Riyadh Season continues to grow, and revealed what he and his fellow wrestlers have been up to since arriving in the Kingdom.
“We went to Six Flags, we rode the tallest, longest roller coaster, then we get to wrestle,” said the former WWE US and Intercontinental Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
“So for me, as a big fan, a big kid, getting to go to Six Flags when I get to wrestle, this is a dream come true.”
Professional wrestling has built a strong following in Saudi Arabia over the years, and now generations of fans who grew up watching bouts on television have the chance to attend major events in person and see their favorite stars in action.
What once seemed a distant dream for many in the Kingdom has become a reality in recent years, after the WWE and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority began working together to bring live events to the country in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s entertainment goals.
Cardona has been impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of the Saudi fans he has encountered.
“The fans here are so energetic and loud,” he said. “Even yesterday, we were just doing meet-and-greets, photo ops and autographs, and they’re chanting like we’re already in the ring.
“They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania.”
Since the partnership with Saudi authorities began, WWE has staged several major events in the Kingdom including Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, and King and Queen of the Ring. The date for next year’s WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh has yet to be announced.
