FC Porto came from behind to beat Moreirense FC 2-1 in the Portuguese league on Friday, with Polish defender Jan Bednarek scoring an equaliser before William Gomes struck the winner in the second half.
Porto had arrived at the match with a perfect record for the season, having scored nine goals and conceded none in the league. Playing at home, they were clear favourites and had not been expected to concede at all.
Poland internationals Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior both started the match for Porto. The hosts were the more active side from the outset, pressing forward and testing the Moreirense goal, though early chances went begging for Pablo Rosario and William Gomes.
Those missed opportunities came back to haunt Porto. In the 20th minute, Joao Veloso delivered a cross into the box from the left wing, and Dinis Pinto found space amid a confused Porto defence to fire home a volley. It was the first goal Porto had conceded all season.
Porto responded quickly. In the 37th minute, they won a set piece and Gomes swung the ball into the box, where Bednarek rose above the Moreirense defence to use his height advantage and head the ball into the net. He was mobbed by teammates and the coaching staff after the goal.
Bednarek praised by commentators
Commentators for Eleven Sports praised Bednarek's contribution, saying it was exactly what Porto needed, a goal from Bednarek inside the opposition penalty area, and calling it a very important strike for the Pole. It was his first goal of the season.
No further goals came before half-time, leaving the sides level at 1-1 at the break. The scoreline did not reflect the balance of play, however. Porto had 72 percent of possession and eight shots, four of them on target, while Moreirense managed only two attempts, one of which was on target.
Gomes strikes as Porto pull clear
The second half was littered with fouls and rough challenges, with the referee reluctant to reach for his cards despite what fans watching described as a great deal of dirty play.
Porto nonetheless took the lead for the first time in the match in the 59th minute. Pepe spotted Gomes in the penalty area and played a quick pass to him, and Gomes shot first time past the goalkeeper.
Porto continued to dominate afterwards, firing off ten more shots in the following half hour, three of them on target, while Moreirense could only manage two attempts that missed the target.
Froholdt injured in late incident
In the 86th minute, the contest was overshadowed by an injury to Porto's Victor Froholdt, who went down after being struck by an elbow to the jaw in a collision with an opponent and appeared to lose consciousness.
Medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to him, while Guilherme Liberato, the Moreirense player responsible for the challenge, was seen in tears. Liberato was sent off for the foul, leaving Moreirense to finish the match with ten men. Froholdt was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
Porto extend perfect start
FC Porto beat Moreirense FC 2-1, with goals from Dinis Pinto in the 20th minute, Jan Bednarek in the 37th and William Gomes in the 59th.
The result strengthened Porto's position at the top of the table. After five matches, they hold a perfect record and cannot be caught at the top of the table this round. They currently sit five points clear of second-placed Sporting CP, who have played one match fewer. Moreirense sit 11th with four points.
Porto's next league match comes on Saturday, September 12, against Casa Pia. Oskar Pietuszewski, who is recovering from injury, could feature in that game.
