Okay, I almost got it. I predicted that this game would end up 2-1 and would go to the penalty shootouts, where Iker Casillas would shine against the Romanians. However, It wasn’t necessary for the Brazilian legion of Porto to make it to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Roma played cowardly. That’s might be the reason their supporters are asking for Eusebio Di Francesco’s head. They only threatened the former Real Madrid goalkeeper in the extra-time, as Edin Dzeko had two superb opportunities, face to face with the Spanish keeper. We must credit Porto’s qualification to Pepe as well, who cleared a Dzeko lob over Casillas off the line in the extra-time.

Brazilian striker Tiquinho Soares opened the scoring for Porto at the Estadio do Dragao. He was fed by Marega, whose cross found the Brazilian unmarked to score past Roma’s goalkeeper. Roma leveled things up shortly after, as Eder Militao fouled Diego Perotti inside the area. Daniele De Rossi stepped up and converted the Penalty for the Italians.

There was more drama coming in the second half, as Marega put the hosts ahead of the scoring once again, in a similar play of the first Portuguese goal. 2-1 Roma. We then got to the extra-time. We could feel the tension in a nervy Estadio do Dragao. The Portuguese supporters who backed their squad throughout the whole game seemed to be terrified. With Roma having the best chances but not concluding in goal, everyone thought it would go to the penalty shootouts, when…

With just a few minutes to go, Fernando suffered a penalty from Florenzi. The referee was advised to check out the play in the VAR. After a few minutes of expectation, he finally awarded the hosts a pen, who Brazilian left-back Alex Telles struck out perfectly to close the 3-1 game for the Portuguese side.

Porto now awaits alongside Tottenham, Manchester United, and Ajax to see their opponents in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals draw, which will take place on March 13th.