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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Porto

1-3

Zahavi (75' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Tello (19'), Andre (49'), Layun (72')

Porto top of Group G after Maccabi Tel Aviv win

Miguel Layun seals Porto's 3-1 win away to Maccabi Tel Aviv as the Portuguese side top Group G with two games left.

Porto are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League after they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv to move top of Group G.

The Israelis, who came into this game with a goal from their first three fixtures, almost edged ahead when Tal Ben Haim II narrowly missed the target before Eran Zahavi squandered a shooting opportunity as he was dispossessed by Spaniard Ivan Marcano as he tried to take aim.

Porto's Portuguese midfielder Andre Andre (C) reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League, group G, football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and FC Porto at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, in the Israeli coastal city of Haifa, on November 04, 2015© Getty Images

Maccabi were almost punished for their early profligacy in front of goal when Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar was denied by Predrag Rajkovic.

Aboubakar missed another chance moments later when he dragged a close-range strike wide of the target, but Porto then survived a scare as Ben Haim II effort was tipped away by veteran stopper Iker Casillas.

FC Porto's players celebrate after scoring during the UEFA Champions League, group G, football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and FC Porto at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, in the Israeli coastal city of Haifa, on November 4, 2015© Getty Images

Porto finally broke the deadlock as Andre Andre seized on a defensive mistake by Maccabi before playing in Christian Tello and the Barcelona coolly lifted the ball beyond the onrushing Rajkovic.

Tello could have scored a second before the interval, but was denied by the outstretched foot of Tal Ben Haim I, as the former Chelsea centre-back diverted his effort over the bar.

However, the Portuguese giants did double their lead when Maxi Pereira managed to deliver a cross from the right flank, which Andre headed home after getting ahead of his marker at the near post.

Porto all but sealed victory with 18 minutes left when Layun inside on his right foot and the Watford loanee calmly curled the ball beyond Rajkovic.

Tel Aviv were awarded a penalty moments later when Zahavi latched on to a through-ball before going to ground inside the area, although replays suggest that the midfielder may have made the most of any contact.

Nevertheless, Zahavi scored Maccabi's first goal of the group phase with a spot kick, which beat the despairing dive of Casillas.
However, Porto were able to hold on and take top spot in the group, ahead of Chelsea, who beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1.

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Group A

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3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

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QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

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QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

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QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

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QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
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Group F

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QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

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4Red Star60151

Group H

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QPorto640212
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4Antwerp61053


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