Super Eagles-eligible Alhassan Yusuf scores first UCL goal in Porto's thrashing of Antwerp

Super Eagles-eligible Alhassan Yusuf scores first UCL goal in Porto's thrashing of Antwerp

Faruq Ibrahim 22:13 - 25.10.2023

Alhassan Yusuf shines, and Chidera Ejuke comes off the bench for Royal Antwerp in a damning defeat to Zaidu Sanusi's Porto.

Kano-born midfielder Alhassan Yusuf opened the scoring for Royal Antwerp against Porto, his first ever in the competition, but the Portuguese side retaliated brutally, returning four goals the other way to win 4-1.

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The Dragons kept pace with Barcelona in Group H, getting a huge three points from their trip to Belgium, where they faced the Pro League champions at Bosuilstadion stadium. The win ensured they stayed second on the log, occupying an automatic qualification spot.

How it happened

Yusuf returned to the starting line-up after failing to start in each of Antwerp’s last three games, including the 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the last Champions League match week.

He was trusted from the start against Porto, and the Super Eagles hopeful midfielder repaid Mark Van Bommel by scoring the opener of the encounter with a stunning curler into the top right corner, his first in the competition.

Alhassan Yusuf celebrating his goal for Royal Antwerp against Porto || Image credit: Imago
Alhassan Yusuf celebrating his goal for Royal Antwerp against Porto || Image credit: Imago

The hosts withstood pressure from Porto, taking their lead into the half-time break, which in retrospect was a brief intermission before a total collapse in the second 45.

The architect of Antwerp’s doom second-half, Evanilson, was already introduced in the first, as the Brazilian came on in the 44th minute to replace the injured left-back Wendell.

The 24-year-old striker scored the first in his hat-trick on the night immediately after resumption from the break, assisted by Mehdi Taremi to restore parity. 

Evanilson celebrating a goal in Antwerp vs Porto || Image credit: Imago
Evanilson celebrating a goal in Antwerp vs Porto || Image credit: Imago

As though angered they went behind in the game, Porto attacked with fervour and soon took the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a Stephen Estaquio strike.

Pepe set up Evanilson, who made it three in the 69th minute, and later in the game, the duo that came up with the equaliser combined once more to put Sergio Conceicao’s side 4-1 up.

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