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Porto
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 10, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Shakhtar Donetsk

1-1

Aboubakar (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Porto 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League Group H match between Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.
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Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League group match between Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Both sides are already guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, with Porto set to finish top in Group H.

When the teams met earlier in the competition, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Please note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.


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Good evening! The top two sides in Group H go head to head of the final matchday in the group stage of the Champions League knowing that they will be in Monday's draw with the last 16. Let's start with a look at the teams...

PORTO STARTING XI: Fernandez, Maicon, Marcano, Sandro, Evandro, Neves, Quaresma, Quintero, Lopez, Ricardo, Aboubakar

SHAKHTAR STARTING XI: Pyatov, Shevchuk, Kryvstov, Rakitskiy, Stepanenko, Fred, Bernard, Costa, Teixeira, Ilsinho, Gladkiy

PORTO SUBSTITUTES: Ricardo, Martins Indi, Herrera, Torres, Martinez, Tello, Kelvin

SHAKHTAR SUBSTITUTES: Kanibolotskiy, Marlos, Fernando, Kovalenko, Dentinho, Wellington, Taison

Unsurprisingly, Porto are resting a couple of players, having already guaranteed top spot in the group. Yacine Brahimi isn't in the squad, while Jackson Martinez starts on the bench. For the visitors, Brazilian duo Fred and Bernard, who have mainly been used as substitutes during the Champions League this season, come in to the starting lineup for Shakhtar.

Ahead of kickoff, Porto coach Julen Lopetegui told reporters: "The most important thing is that this will be a Champions League match against a great team. The biggest motivation comes from the players themselves, I know they love these games. I'm sure it will be a great game, with a decent crowd. We are talking about the biggest competition in the world, so we will approach the game with that in mind. I think Shakhtar have one of the best attacking lines in Europe, they can beat any team. All of their best players are travelling and that shows the huge motivation they also have for this match."

Meanwhile, Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu said at his pre-match press conference: "I'm hoping tomorrow's game is high on quality. The fans and players will make it work; it will certainly be a good, open game to watch. The absent players are not so important. More relevant are the lineups that will be out on the pitch, because Porto are also leaving out some important players."

Shakhtar's Luiz Adriano has been the top scorer in the Champions League so far this season, with nine goals so far. However, he won't be adding to his total tonight, as he's one of three players suspended from the Ukrainian side. Olexadr Gladkiy, who score twice in the league at the weekend, comes in for Adriano.

When the teams met in Ukraine back in September, it looked like it would be a home win, with Shakhtar leading 2-0 with five minutes to go. However, Jackson Martinez came off the bench to score a brace late on, earning Porto a draw. Shakhtar will surely be hoping to avoid another late collapse this time.

Maicon will have to be careful tonight, as he's just a booking away from a suspension. If he does pick up a yellow card this evening, he'll miss the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

The home side come into this match in strong form. Porto and unbeaten in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this season, and are unbeaten in the Champions League as well this campaign. Their only defeat so far this year has come in the Portuguese Cup.

Shakhtar have been particularly potent in front of goal in recent weeks, netting 33 times in their last 10 matches. While Adriano has been the leading scorer in the Champions League, Alex Teixeira, Gladkiy and Fred have all been on target domestically recently. In fact, Fred ended his 16-month goal drought during their win over FC Hoverla Uzhhorod last Friday.

Here's a look at the inside of the Porto locker room ahead of kickoff:


REFEREE WATCH! French official Ruddy Buquet takes charge of the match this evening. This will be just the second Champions League match that the 37-year-old has refereed in.

This is the second time in three years that these two clubs have been draw in the same group in the Champions League. Donetsk have already done better against Porto that they did in 2011, have lost both of their matches against the Portuguese side last time.

Don't forget, you can find out who these two sides will face in the next round when the draw takes place on Monday. We'll have live coverage of the draw for the last 16 of this competition and the Europa League as it happens.

As there's not too much riding on this match for Porto, it's understandably not a sellout crowd at the Estadio do Dragao. Those that are there will surely be making plenty of noise when the players make their way out shortly.

PREDICTION! Before the players do make their way out, let's make a quick prediction. With Porto resting players, and both teams already knowing where they will finish in the group, it's a bit of a tricky one to call. However, I think Shakhtar have a bit of a point to prove after letting a two-goal lead slip against Porto earlier in the year, so I think they could just edge it tonight. I'm going for a 2-1 win to Shakhtar tonight.

The players are gathering in the tunnel ready to make their way out for kickoff on a dry and relatively warm night in Porto this evening.

The players line up for the Champions League anthem, handshakes and pose for a photo as part of UEFA's No to Racism campaign. With the formalities out of the way, the action should be underway in a few moments.

KICKOFF! Porto get the match underway.

Shakhtar have had the majority of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Bernard trying to loop the ball forward for Teixeira, but the delivery is easily blocked.

CHANCE! Gladkiy comes within a couple of inches of opening the scoring for the visitors as Shevchuk slices the ball in front of goal from a tight angle, leaving the striker with a simple tap in at the far post, but he can't quite stretch far enough to get his foot to it. He looks back towards the assistant referee, so may have been worried about offside, but it looked like he was well on, so probably should have done better.

Porto immediately press down the other end and win the first corner of the night, but Rakitskiy makes sure that the delivery is swiftly cleared.

Shakhtar have their first corner of the match, and while the initial threat is cleared, Bernard battles to get the ball back into the box, but it goes behind.

After a bright start by the visitors, Porto have started to see a little more of the ball in the last few minutes, with Quaresma and Quintero both getting on the ball, but the hosts are yet to create any real chances.

Quaresma makes a brilliant run down the right flank before setting Ricardo Pereira up in for a cross towards Adrian, but Ilsinho makes a superb block to end Porto's best move so far this evening.

Porto are certainly looking the stronger of the two sides at the minute as Quaresma continues to cause problems with his pace down the right. He tries to curl a shot in the from the edge the box, but it's a poor finishing touch to leave Pyatov with an easy save.

Porto look more dangerous every time they make their way into the box. This time into Juan Quintero trying to head the ball in, but he's flagged for offside at the last second.

Quaresma and Aboubakar team up on the edge of the area as they continue to look for an opening goal for the hosts, but Stepanenko steal the ball away for the visitors and tries to go on the counter-but the move comes to nothing.

Alex Teixeira has been kept pretty quiet so far. He has 10 goals in all competitions this season, including three in the Champions League, but has barely had a touch so far.

Shakhtar have started to see a little more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, with Bernard weaving his way into the box before pulling it back for Ilsinho, but the defender quickly loses out.

Ilsinho has been showing plenty of intention getting forward so far, and he's involved again, winning the ball out wide in the penalty area, but his cross goes wayward.

After a quiet first half hour, Pyatov has suddenly found himself under a bit of pressure. He parrie a Quaresma effort clear, but Adrian Lopez quickly wins it back and forces the Shakhtar keeper to put it behind for a corner.

A robust challenge from Maicon on Bernard prevents the Brazilian from getting his shot away, but does give away a corner. There were a few murmurs in the crowd for a penalty as the tackle went in, but there were no real appeals from the players.

There's an injury concern for the hosts as Teixeira clashes with Ruben Neves. The 17-year-old certainly comes off worse as he's left clutching his thigh on the pitch, and it looks like he's going to need to be stretchered to the sideline. It would be a shame for the youngster, as he's highly rated and would have been keen to show what he can do on his first Champions League start.

SUB! Indeed, Neves is stretchered off with heavy strapping on his knee and thigh, and he looks devastated! Hopefully for him it's not as bad as it looks. Bruno Martins Indi comes on in the youngsters place.

Bernard and Fred try to put Porto under pressure at the back as half time approaches, but Stepanenko hands the ball back to the home side when he clashes with Evandro on the edge of the box.

As the first half heads into two minutes of stoppage time, Bernard is on the move again for the visitors, but Marcano is ready to block his cross in towards Gladkiy.

Martins Indi makes his first contribution since coming off the bench, but his curling effort is easily claimed by Pyatov.

HALF TIME: Porto 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk

So at half time it remains all square in Porto as neither side manage to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes. Both sides have shown promise, although chances have been limited, so we could be in for an entertaining second half.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first half. Porto dominated the possession with 64%. Although the visitors applied plenty of pressure in the box, Shakhtar are yet to have a shot, while Porto have five, including two which forced saves from Pyatov.

BOOKINGS! In a busy first half, I neglected to tell you about a few yellow cards. The referee has already had to be pretty busy handing out the bookings tonight, showing Quaresma, Rakitskiy and Stepanenko the yellow card. It's a blow for Stepanenko, as it rules him out of the first leg of Shakhtar's round of 16 tie.

The players are making their way back of ready for the second half.

KICKOFF! Shakhtar get the second half underway.

CHANCE! Porto win a free kick when Stepanenko brings for Marcano, and Rakitskiy takes it quickly, catching the visitors out, but it's just about deflected behind for a corner.

Bernard continues to look lively for Shakhtar, but Andres Fernandes comes out to turn it behind.

GOAL! Porto 0-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Taras Stepanenko)

From the resulting corner, Bernard finds the head of Taras Stepanenko, who nods it past the Porto keeper to open the scoring with the visitors' first shot of the match.

It looks like the hosts are in a hurry to get back on level terms as Aboubakar unleashes a strike almost straight from the restart, but his right-footed half-volley is just wide.

SUB! The hosts make a second change, bringing Kelvin on in place of Adrian Lopez, who has been quiet this evening.

Shakhtar win another corner, and it almost leads to a second for the visitors as Porto leave too much space in their box again, but Fernandez just manages to claim it.

CHANCE! Kelvin looks to help set up an equaliser for Porto, pulling the ball back for Quaresma for an effort from 20 yards out, but his powerful shot lacks accuracy.

CHANCE! Both sides are looking really lively now as they know that the second goal could be crucial. Shakhtar have a chance when Douglas Costa curls a 20-yard free kick around the wall, but Fernandez watches it all the way to make the stop.

BOOKING! Marcano is the first player to pick up a booking in the second half for bringing down Costa.

CHANCE! Bernard's creativity continues to carve holes through the Porto defence, but Teixeira's finish is deflected behind for Maicon.

SUBS! The visitors make two chances, with Taison and Marlos taking over from Bernard and Douglas Costa.

The visitors win a free kick in a dangerous position when Sandro clatters into Ilsinho, but Taison's effort into the box is blocked by Maicon.

SUB! Porto make their third and final change as Oliver Torres replaces Quintero.

OFF THE BAR! Porto come within a couple of inches of getting back on level terms as Ricardo sends in a curling cross for Martins Indi, but his header is kept out by the crossbar.

Shakhtar look like they're starting to try and slow the match down and just keep possession now, but Porto as desperate for the equaliser, and and keeping their opponents under pressure as the match heads into the final 15 minutes.

Realising that they probably still need another goal to secure the win, Shakhtar have stepped it up again in the last couple of minutes, with Teixeira batting hard need the corner flag to try and get the cross in, but losing out to Maicon.

Gladkiy has been relatively quiet up front this evening, and is denied the chance to get a shot away late on as he's penalised for holding Maicon back.

CHANCE! Evandro has a chance to level the scores for the home side as they win a corner, and Quaresmo delivers it deep to the edge of the area for the midfielder, but Pyatov is on hand to stop his low strike.

CHANCE! Porto are finishing really strongly as Maicon curls a free kick in towards Evandro, but he can only head the ball wide. Shakhtar will have to be careful to avoid letting another lead against Porto slip late on if the home side can sustain this pressure.

SUB! Shakhtar make their final change, taking off goalscorer Stepanenko to send on Fernando for the last few minutes.

GOAL! Porto 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Vincent Aboubakar)

What a fantastic strike from Vincent Aboubakar to get Porto back on level terms. The striker hasn't seen too much action this evening, but he picks up a loose ball just outside the box, and he hits it on the turn to pick out the roof of the net. The stunning strike has really buoyed the crowd, and Porto are looking for a winner now.

CHANCE! Aboubakar has had a couple of opportunities since netting the equaliser, as he saw an effort turned behind for a corner, but a second Quaresma delivery in from the flag saw the striker fire wide.

Taison is trying to find a way into the area for Shakhtar down the other end as the visitors try to prevent Porto from getting another late goal, but the hosts win it back.

Porto win a free kick around 30 yards out, which Sandro whips in, but Rasitskiy reaches it first to knock it clear.

FULL TIME: Porto 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

So once again Shakhtar are denied a win over Porto thanks to a late equaliser. The result is fairly academic, as it was already guaranteed that the two sides would finish first and second in Group H ahead of their final match of the campaign.

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Porto's Colombian forward Jackson Martinez celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Porto at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on November 5, 2014
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