Late Maicon header ensures Porto beat Benfica
Reuters - Friday 02 March 2012, 22:38
Brazilian centre back Maicon headed a
dramatic 87th-minute winner to give champions Porto a 3-2 victory at fierce
rivals Benfica in their top of the table clash on Friday.
Porto's triumph in the 'Classico' gave them 52 points from 21 league
matches, three clear of second-placed Benfica.
The visitors started confidently and scored after seven minutes through
burly Brazilian Hulk who surprised goalkeeper Artur with a venemous left-foot shot
from outside the box.
Benfica had a chance to equalise after 23 minutes but Paraguay striker Oscar
Cardozo's shot was easily saved by Helton.
Cardozo eventually struck five minutes before half-time after finding himself
unmarked in the area and the same player made it 2-1 early in the second period
when he nodded in a Pablo Aimar free-kick.
Porto coach Vitor Pereira then took a gamble, taking off centre-back Rolando
and bringing on Colombia winger James Rodriguez, and the move paid off.
Rodriguez, 20, ran half the length of the pitch, exchanged passes with
Brazilian midfielder Fernando and left-footed the ball into the net after 65
minutes.
Benfica left-back Emerson was sent off 12 minutes later and Porto took
advantage of the extra man when Maicon towered above the defence to nosd the
winner.