Wednesday September 28, 2011 Group Stage: Group G Finished Petrovskiy

Zenit St. Petersburg 3 - 1 FC Porto

  • Shirokov 20’, 63’
  • Danny 72’
  • Rodriguez 10’

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  1. Zenit beat 10-man Porto

    Zenit beat 10-man Porto

    Zenit St Petersburg came from behind to record their first win in the Champions League courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Porto in Group G. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Zenit St. Petersburg
    • FC Porto
    • 90+3' There goes the final whistle! Hulk cracks a free-kick at the home goal, but Malafeev blocks before the final whistle sounds. A 3-1 win for Zenit. Well deserved.
    • 90' Three minutes of time to be added.
    • 89' Bukharov is brought on to take over from Kerzhakov. Home fans all happy enough.
    • 88' Danny showing some terrific skills deep in the home half. He has been a real star this evening for Zenit.
    • 87' Huszti replaces Zyryanov for the Russian side. All over bar the shouting this one now.
    • 86' Kerhakov knocks the ball wide from Danny's. Porto just being opened up at will.
    • 85' Hulk tries to break up the park, but he has four Zenit bodies chasing him as the home side win the ball back.
    • 84' Spalletti looking a happy man after his side blew a one-goal lead in Cyprus in their opening match of the section. Zenit with the ball deep in the Porto half.
    • 83' Hulk gives the ball away far too easily before Pereira takes out Danny with a late challenge.
    • 82' Malafeev launches the ball down the park. Zenit no longer need to commit any bodies forward. Kerzhakov slams a shot over the bar.
    • 81' Porto boss Pereira continues to pace the touchline in his Mourinho-style scarf. Zenit quickly back on the ball seconds later.
    • 80' Hubocan hooks out Hulk's corner. Time and numbers against Porto now. Zenit so close to this victory.
    • 79' Defour with a free-kick into the middle. Comes off the head of a home defender and the visiting side earn themselves a corner.
    • 78' Glorious chance for Danny! In plenty of space, but sees the shot swerve wide from Faizulin's pass.
    • 77' Fernando drills a long ranger at the Zenit goal. Plenty of time for Malafeev to study that shot before diving on the ball to make the save.
    • 76' Danny crosses for Shirokov. His header is saved by Helton, but he somehow lifts the rebound over the bar. That is a shocking miss. Somehow Porto survive that one.
    • 75' Zenit heading for three points, their first home victory in the Champions League and only their second in the tournament. A night to celebrate for the Russian side.
    • 74' Mistake apparently for the Hulk booking. Apparently he wasn't booked after all. Anyway, long way back for Porto and their 10 men now.
    • 73' A change coming for Porto as Steven Defour replaces Belluschi.
    • 72' GOAL!! Danny slips the ball into the empty net from Kerzhakov's deflected cross. Zenit lead 3-1. Surely all over now.
    • 71' Hulk picks up a booking too after he complained about Anyukov's diving when Belluschi was booked.
    • 70' Kerzhakov goes for goal. Drills the ball at the target from Danny's chipped pass, but just too high with the shot.
    • 69' Belluschi is late on Anyukov and he is booked for that one. Very crude challenge it must be said.
    • 68' Difficult to see how Porto are going to claw their way back into this match with 10 men. Zenit keeping the ball with some ease.
    • 67' Game really opening up now. Porto have to gamble to get back in this game otherwise Zenit are going to pick up a win they have deserved up to this stage.
    • 66' Hulk goes for goal from distance. A fabulous free-kick from the Porto forward, but his crack at the home goal is inches wide. What a strike. So unlucky.
    • 65' GOAL!! Shirokov scores for Zenit!! A stunning strike from him to control the free-kick from Faizulin before hammering the ball home. Zenit lead 2-1.
    • 64' Otamendi of Porto is the next man in the book for a foul on Criscito.
    • 63' Hubocan is yellow carded for a late tackle on Hulk.
    • 62' Looked to be onside when the ball was played across goal, but the linesman gives Porto the benefit of the doubt.
    • 61' Shirokov slams the ball across goal for Kerzhakov to score, but he is deemed to be offside. So close to the second for Zenit, but no goal.
    • 60' Danny tries to unload a shot, but is followed by a posse of visiting shirts, who crowd him out before blocking the shot. Better defending by Porto.
    • 59' Fayzulin dinks the ball on for Kerzhakov, but he lobs the ball wide of the target. Fernando again playing the home forward line on. Chances coming thick and fast for Zenit.
    • 58' Kerzhakov on the run for Zenit. Should have looked for a cross, but saw the glory as he blasts over the bar from the edge of the area.
    • 57' The only positive Porto can take from this half so far is the scoreline, but that will change unless they can somehow get out of their own half with some purpose.
    • 56' Hubocan makes a very timely tackle on Hulk at the other end. Haven't seen much of "The Hulk" since the early moments of this match. Malafeev launches it long for Zenit.
    • 55' Shirokov tries to pick out Danny with a ball over the top, but Helton is out to collect in front of the dangerous Danny.
    • 54' Zenit on the charge through Danny, but Pereira comes across to make the tackle. Danny with the cross seconds later, but an easy take for Helton.
    • 53' Helton needing a bit of treatment before we continue. Fernando seems to be playing the home forwards onside. Dangerous times for Porto.
    • 52' Kerzhakov almost in seconds later. Looked set to pull the trigger, but he hesitated and Helton dived at the striker's feet to make the save. Porto so fortunate.
    • 51' Kerzhakov thumps a stunning shot off a post from inside the box. Ball hits the inside of the post before flying to safety. A huge escape for Porto. How did that stay out?
    • 50' Lovely ball from Zyryanov, but Fernando whacks the ball clear. No takers for Zenit in the middle.
    • 49' Hulk goes through Criscito with a late one. Zenit must be strong favourites to pick up three points from this one. Home side on the attack.
    • 48' Danny roaming around with his usual relish up front, but he is too keen as he is caught offside.
    • 47' Porto have introduced Souza for Rodriguez at the break.
    • 46' We are off and running in the second half. Porto will have to see this out with 10 men.
    • 45+2' There goes the whistle for the break! Porto down to 10 men. Can Zenit make their one-man advantage count in the second period? Huge advantage now for them surely.
    • 45+1' RED CARD FOR FUCILE! Used his hands to control the ball under pressure from Kerzhakov! Was already booked. Had to walk for that one.
    • 44' We are into two minutes of time added on...
    • 43' Lombaerts catches Hulk with a late tackle. Free-kick late in the half to Porto, but nothing comes from it.
    • 42' Zyryanov plays in Danny, whose shot just flies wide of the Porto goal. So close to a second for Zenit from the edge of the area.
    • 41' Has been a strange old half. Chances few and far between. Danny's free-kick is headed goalwards by Kerzhakov, but an easy take for Helton.
    • 40' Hubocan heads out Pereira's cross. Pereirara is then down after being caught late out wide. Free-kick to Porto.
    • 39' Hulk trying to get his ball on that left foot. Manages to win some space 25 yards from goal, but the left foot can only send a shot sailing wide of the Zenit goal.
    • 38' Criscito over to make the tackle on Hulk. Corner to the visiting side.
    • 37' Zenit with almost 60% of possession in this match. Porto quite keen to hit on the break as Hulk again goes down complaining of something.
    • 36' Danny trying to get another Zenit move on the go. He has been at the heart of all that has been good about the home side in this half.
    • 35' Offside flag goes up against Kerzhakov after he is guilty of bounding clear too early.
    • 34' Otamendi puts the cross from Faizulin behind for a corner. Faizulin's corner comes to nothing before Helton collects in the Porto goal.
    • 33' Lombaerts fouls Hulks and Porto try to get something going from the back. Have fallen out of the game in an attacking sense since that early opening goal.
    • 32' Fuclie tries to pick out Hulk, who collapses in the box. Never a penalty. Not sure what he was hoping for there.
    • 31' So Kleber does not reappear. Seems to have damaged a shoulder. He is replaced by Varela for the visiting team.
    • 30' Plenty of noise coming from the stands. Zenit pressing as high up the park as possible.
    • 29' Helton comes to take the corner from Fayzulin. Not the best catch, but was an effective enough way to ease the pressure on the Porto rearguard.
    • 28' Fucile darts back to make the tackle on Danny and the home side have a corner.
    • 27' We continue with Porto down to 10 men at the moment. Fuclie penalised for handball.
    • 26' Kleber is down on the deck after falling under pressure from a home player. He is needing a spot of treatment.
    • 25' Danny really tormenting this Porto midfield. Some lovely flicks with the backheel. Doesn't look like he is wearing any shinguards.
    • 24' Danny plays in Kerhakov, but he just can't get on the end of the pass in the box. Warning signs are out for Porto in this match.
    • 23' Fucile booked for a late challenge on Danny. Always going to be booked for that one.
    • 22' Fine stop by Malafeev! Good hit from Pereira, but the keeper dives to claw the ball over the bar.
    • 21' Zenit trying to get Danny on the ball as much as possible. He is causing the visitors a few problems.
    • 20' Fucile with the clearance under pressure from Kerzhakov. Zenit with their tails up.
    • 19' Hulk guilty of foul play on Lombaerts. Porto try to settle themselves down after the loss of that equaliser.
    • 18' First real chance of the match for Zenit, and they are level in this match. Kerzhakov goes for goal, but lifts the shot over the bar from distance.
    • 17' GOAL!! Helton spills a cross and Shirokov rams the loose ball home for the equaliser. Poor goalkeeping and Zenit are level. What was the goalkeeper doing? 1-1 now.
    • 16' Not really much happening at either end since that opening goal by Hulk. A lot of passing, but neither side going anywhere. Here come Zenit.
    • 15' Zenit on the ball, but again they give it away in midfield as Fernando's control lets him down.
    • 14' Shirokov nods over the bar. Wasn't easy to get the power on the header as it looped over the bar. Goalkick to Porto.
    • 13' Zenit not exactly losing their heads at they try to find an equaliser. All very patient, but some of the Zenit passing is very sloppy.
    • 12' Porto have only suffered one defeat in 34 matches away from home, that reverese coming in a dead rubber in last season's Europa League semi-final when they were 5-0 ahead from the first leg.
    • 11' Kerzhakov flicks the ball over the bar for Zenit. Decent marking by the visitors, who will have a goalkick.
    • 10' A 1-0 lead for Porto, who are on course to continue their impressive list of results in Russia. Kleber smacks a shot at goal from distance, but well wide of the target.
    • 9' GOAL!! Rodriguez scores for Porto. Superb cross from Hulk for his team-mate, who has the easy task of tapping the ball home.
    • 8' Lombaerts having to watch Hulk like a hawk after Rodriguez picked him out with a telling pass, but the corner comes to nothing seconds later.
    • 7' Rodriguez moving well from Moutinho's ball, but he can't hit the target with the shot and Zenit have a goalkick.
    • 6' Pereira clears the ball from Kerzhakov in the area. Decent clearance as Porto go on the attack.
    • 5' Belluschi is fouled by Criscito, but Hulk smacks the free-kick wide of the target. Was a poor effort.
    • 4' Porto celebrating their 118th anniversary today. Danny with a fine cross, but Kerzhakov's shot is blocked by a Porto defender.
    • 3' Kerzhakov throws over a ball seconds later, but no takers as it flies across the Porto goal. Porto aiming to win their first two group matches in the Champions League for the first time since 1999.
    • 2' Faizulin with a decent ball into the middle of the box early on that Porto clear. Zenit trying to gain the upper hand.
    • 1' We are off and running in this one. Zenit in light blue, Porto in dark blue.
    • 16.55 Teams on their way out. Looks a typically chilly night in Russia, but a seems like a full house with the Champions League theme music blaring out.
    • 16.50 Full teams and subs: Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev, Aniukov, Hubocan, Lombaerts, Criscito, Zyryanov, Denisov, Shirokov, Faitzulin, Kerzhakov, Danny..subs: Zhevnov, Lazovic, Bukharov, Rosina, Huszti, Lukovic, Ionov////FC Porto: Helton, Fucile, Otamendi, Rolando, Pereira, Fernando, Hulk, Belluschi, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Kleber..subs: Bracali, Maicon, Cristian Rodriguez, Varela, Djalma, Souza, Defour////Referee: Howard Webb (England)
    • 16.45 MATCH ODDS: Zenit St Petersburg are 15/8....Porto are 6/4...with draw at 11/5
    • 16.40 Zenit have met Portuguese opposition on three occasions, beating Guimaraes 2-1 in the UEFA Cup in October 2005. They also met Nacional in the 2009/10 Europa League play-offs, losing 4-3 in Portugal and drawing 1-1 at home. Since last season, Porto have won 13 of their 16 games in European competition.
    • 16.35 Porto are unbeaten against Russian opposition, winning six of their eight encounters in European competition. Zenit have only won one of their seven games in the Champions League group stages, a 2-0 win away at BATE Borisov in November 2008.
    • 16.30 Teams: Zenit: Malafeev, Anyukov, Criscito, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Fayzulin, Denisov, Danny, Kerzhakov////Porto: Helton; "Palito" Pereira, Rolando, Otamendi, Fucile; Fernando, Belluschi, Moutinho; James Rodríguez, Hulk, Kleber
    • 16.25 Zenit have never faced Porto before but need only turn to defender Bruno Alves for information about their visitors – he spent ten years as a Porto player before moving to Russia in August 2010.
    • 16.20 Porto manager Vitor Pereira is looking for a response from his side after the 2-2 draw with Benfica at home on Friday, a match in which Porto twice led. "We were not satisfied with the result of the Benfica match. The last few minutes were especially annoying, but we are going to try and continue playing at the same high level. We have done our homework. We know Zenit's strengths as a team and the individual characteristics of the players. Hopefully we'll see a great match."
    • 16.15 Zenit boss Luciano Spalletti is expecting a tough test against Porto having lost their opening game in Group G to APOEL Nicosia. He said: "Porto are a club with great history who have played well for many years. Their strength can be measured by all the good players and coaches they have produced. There are big moments in life, this is one, and we're ready for it. We will play to win, as against all other teams. It does not depend on the tactics – if we lose, something went wrong."
    • 16.10 PORTO TEAM NEWS: Porto boss Vítor Pereira has been deprived of the services of influential midfilelder Fredy Guarin, who is suspended.
    • 16.05 ZENIT TEAM NEWS: Zenit will be without Bruno Alvez, who is suspended while there are doubts over the fitness of Vyacheslav Malafeev, who has a bruised thigh. Yuri Zhevnov is standing by to deputise. Sergei Semak is definitely out with a broken metatarsal.
    • 16.00 Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of Zenit St Petersburg against Porto in Champions League Group G.

  • Summary

    • 78' Glorious chance for Danny! In plenty of space, but sees the shot swerve wide from Faizulin's pass.
    • 76' Danny crosses for Shirokov. His header is saved by Helton, but he somehow lifts the rebound over the bar. That is a shocking miss. Somehow Porto survive that one.
    • 74' Mistake apparently for the Hulk booking. Apparently he wasn't booked after all. Anyway, long way back for Porto and their 10 men now.
    • 72' GOAL!! Danny slips the ball into the empty net from Kerzhakov's deflected cross. Zenit lead 3-1. Surely all over now.
    • 66' Hulk goes for goal from distance. A fabulous free-kick from the Porto forward, but his crack at the home goal is inches wide. What a strike. So unlucky.
    • 65' GOAL!! Shirokov scores for Zenit!! A stunning strike from him to control the free-kick from Faizulin before hammering the ball home. Zenit lead 2-1.
    • 52' Kerzhakov almost in seconds later. Looked set to pull the trigger, but he hesitated and Helton dived at the striker's feet to make the save. Porto so fortunate.
    • 51' Kerzhakov thumps a stunning shot off a post from inside the box. Ball hits the inside of the post before flying to safety. A huge escape for Porto. How did that stay out?
    • 45+1' RED CARD FOR FUCILE! Used his hands to control the ball under pressure from Kerzhakov! Was already booked. Had to walk for that one.
    • 42' Zyryanov plays in Danny, whose shot just flies wide of the Porto goal. So close to a second for Zenit from the edge of the area.
    • 22' Fine stop by Malafeev! Good hit from Pereira, but the keeper dives to claw the ball over the bar.
    • 17' GOAL!! Helton spills a cross and Shirokov rams the loose ball home for the equaliser. Poor goalkeeping and Zenit are level. What was the goalkeeper doing? 1-1 now.
    • 9' GOAL!! Rodriguez scores for Porto. Superb cross from Hulk for his team-mate, who has the easy task of tapping the ball home.
    • 16.50 Full teams and subs: Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev, Aniukov, Hubocan, Lombaerts, Criscito, Zyryanov, Denisov, Shirokov, Faitzulin, Kerzhakov, Danny..subs: Zhevnov, Lazovic, Bukharov, Rosina, Huszti, Lukovic, Ionov////FC Porto: Helton, Fucile, Otamendi, Rolando, Pereira, Fernando, Hulk, Belluschi, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Kleber..subs: Bracali, Maicon, Cristian Rodriguez, Varela, Djalma, Souza, Defour////Referee: Howard Webb (England)
    • 16.30 Teams: Zenit: Malafeev, Anyukov, Criscito, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Fayzulin, Denisov, Danny, Kerzhakov////Porto: Helton; "Palito" Pereira, Rolando, Otamendi, Fucile; Fernando, Belluschi, Moutinho; James Rodríguez, Hulk, Kleber

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Zenit St. Petersburg

    Manager: Luciano Spalletti

  • FC Porto

    Manager: Vítor Pereira

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8.3 7
      Defenders
      8.3 7
      Yellow Card 8.3 6
      8.4 6
      8.8 7
      Midfielders
      7.4 7
      Substitution Out86′ 7.8 7
      Goals ×2 8.4 8
      Strikers
      7.6 7
      Goal 7.6 9
      Substitution Out90′ 7.8 8
      Subs
      Substitution In86′ 7 6
      Substitution In90′ 6.3 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.4 4
      Defenders
      Red Card 4.2 5
      Yellow Card 4.9 5
      3.6 6
      4.7 6
      Midfielders
      4.8 5
      Yellow Card Substitution Out73′ 4.7 6
      5.1 6
      Strikers
      6.1 6
      Goal Substitution Out45′ 5.7 5
      Substitution Out33′ 3.8 5
      Subs
      Substitution In33′ 4.2 6
      Substitution In73′ 5.6 6
      Substitution In45′ 3.7 5

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