FC Porto turned a level game into a four-goal win

Casa Pia’s 4-1 defeat by FC Porto was not a night without attacking promise. They produced 15 shots and five on target, both their best figures across the six matches compared. But FC Porto controlled 62 per cent of the ball, attacked from better areas and turned a 1-1 half-time score into a comfortable win.

Casa Pia started with a 4-2-3-1 and found enough moments to threaten. Their 15 shots were 4.83 above their average across six matches compared, while their five shots on target were 2.33 above average. FC Porto still had the stronger territorial grip. Their 62 per cent possession was 6.33 above their average and ranked second across the same six matches. The visitors also won 10 corners to five and completed 322 passes accurately, compared with Casa Pia’s 163.

The match changed just before the break. Henrique Araújo put Casa Pia ahead from a penalty in the 43rd minute, but André Silva levelled at 45+3 with Pablo Rosario’s assist. Jakub Kiwior then made it 2-1 in the 60th minute, assisted by Gabri Veiga. FC Porto’s double change at 62 minutes brought on Borja Sainz and Santiago Giménez, and both substitutes scored. Sainz struck in the 66th minute, before Giménez completed the scoring from a penalty at 90+1.

Casa Pia’s opener gave them a useful platform, but it did not change the balance for long. Henrique Araújo converted the penalty in the 43rd minute. FC Porto answered before half-time, with André Silva finishing a move supplied by Pablo Rosario at 45+3. The timing mattered because Casa Pia went into the interval level rather than protecting a lead.

FC Porto’s second goal showed the difference in their attacking threat after the restart. Jakub Kiwior scored in the 60th minute after Gabri Veiga’s assist, giving the visitors the lead from open play. Two minutes later FC Porto changed both William and André Silva, and the replacements made an immediate impact. Borja Sainz scored in the 66th minute, while Santiago Giménez added the final goal from a penalty at 90+1. Casa Pia made their first change at 68 minutes, when they were already 3-1 behind.

Casa Pia can point to real attacking progress despite the scoreline. Their 15 shots ranked first across six matches compared, as did their five shots on target. They also had six shots from inside the box, exactly matching their average, and won five corners, their second-highest total in that comparison. João Pedro Seno Luís Rêgo attempted five shots, although none was on target. Henrique Araújo was more efficient, scoring once from two attempts and finishing with a rating of 6.77 against his average of 6.26.

The cost came in the spaces FC Porto found at the other end. Casa Pia had 38 per cent possession, their lowest figure across the six matches compared, and completed 163 accurate passes. They conceded four goals without Ivan Mandić making a save. The back line also had a difficult individual night: Geraldes rated 4.97 against his average of 6.52, while David Sousa rated 5.66 against 6.88 and Kaly rated 5.48. Pedro Rosas created three key passes, but his 5.90 rating was well below his 7.08 average. The attacking volume was encouraging; the defensive platform did not hold once FC Porto moved ahead.

FC Porto’s 62 per cent possession ranked second across their six matches compared and sat 6.33 points above their average. Their 12 shots from inside the box were also above average, by 1.5, while 10 corners were their second-highest total in that comparison. They did not need a huge number of efforts on target to create separation. Four shots found the target, but three of those efforts became goals, and seven more shots were blocked.

The visitors were also disciplined in the way they managed the game. Their 10 fouls were their lowest figure across the six matches compared, and their 322 accurate passes helped them keep Casa Pia away from sustained control. Diogo Costa made four saves, which helped protect the lead when Casa Pia’s shot count rose. The substitutions added the decisive edge. Borja Sainz and Santiago Giménez came on at 62 minutes with FC Porto leading 2-1, then scored at 66 minutes and 90+1. FC Porto’s unbeaten record in the supplied previous results now sits alongside five wins from five in the standing, while Casa Pia’s standing shows four defeats from five before this match.

FC Porto’s best individual performances came from players who affected the score directly. André Silva rated 7.96 against his season average of 6.52 and scored before leaving in the 62nd minute. Jakub Kiwior scored and rated 7.28, just below his 7.62 average. Gabri Veiga supplied an assist and two key passes, although his 7.17 rating was below his 7.74 average. Pablo Rosario also assisted and rated 6.82 against 7.00.

The bench was central to the result. Santiago Giménez rated 7.71 against his 6.52 average, while Borja Sainz rated 7.42 against 6.70, and both scored after entering at 62 minutes. Diogo Costa’s 6.86 rating was below his 7.14 average, but his four saves were important to the final margin. For Casa Pia, Araújo stood out positively at 6.77 against 6.26. Silvi won 10 of 13 duels and completed his only dribble, but rated 6.50 against 6.98. The sharpest drops came from the defence, with Geraldes at 4.97 against 6.52, David Sousa at 5.66 against 6.88 and Pedro Rosas at 5.90 against 7.08.

The available match numbers support FC Porto’s win rather than presenting it as a freak result. FC Porto had 62 per cent possession, 12 shots inside the box and 10 corners. Casa Pia had more total shots than their own average, but nine of their 15 attempts came from outside the box, and three were blocked. FC Porto also forced four saves from Diogo Costa, while Casa Pia recorded none from Ivan Mandić.

There was still a warning against reading the 4-1 score as a complete picture of the first half. Casa Pia had five shots on target, their best total across six matches compared, and the teams were level at the interval. The decisive evidence came after the restart: FC Porto scored three times, used two 62nd-minute substitutes who both found the net, and kept the greater share of the ball. Casa Pia’s attacking output made the contest competitive; FC Porto’s territory, inside-box presence and finishing made the result deserved.

Casa Pia leave this match with a frustrating split in the numbers. Their best totals across six matches compared were not enough to earn a point, because their possession fell to its lowest level in that comparison and their defence allowed FC Porto to turn pressure into four goals. The standing lists Casa Pia 18th with one point, no wins, one draw and four defeats from five matches before this result. Their supplied previous results also show four losses in five.

FC Porto’s position is stronger. They are first with 15 points, five wins from five, 11 goals scored and one conceded in the standing. Their supplied previous results contain four wins after an opening defeat, and this match added another clear victory. The important question is whether the contrast between the two attacks remains: Casa Pia created volume but lacked enough inside-box quality, while FC Porto found goals through both starters and substitutes. The next match will show whether this was a one-off attacking high for Casa Pia or the start of a more useful pattern.

• Whether Casa Pia can repeat 15 shots and five shots on target while raising their 38 per cent possession.
• Whether Casa Pia’s defence can move away from ratings below season averages, especially after Geraldes rated 4.97 against 6.52.
• Whether FC Porto’s substitutes can again influence the score after Borja Sainz and Santiago Giménez scored following their 62nd-minute introductions.