FC Porto Grab Narrow Win After Penalty ‘Fell Out of The Sky’

FC Porto returned to winning ways in the league with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Farense, but the game was far from straightforward.

Porto dominated large spells of the match, but a combination of bad luck and an inspired performance by Farense goalkeeper Ricardo Velho made the win more difficult than expected. Porto hit the woodwork an astonishing four times, while Velho made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.

The breakthrough for Porto came early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty, which Galeno confidently converted to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. However, Farense responded quickly, with Tomané capitalizing on an error by Otávio to equalize, catching the Dragons off guard. Porto found themselves frustrated and rattled as the visitors grew in confidence, and the match took an unexpected turn just before halftime when a bizarre incident unfolded.

In the 45th minute, Galeno was fouled by Artur Jorge, and as he fell off the field, he inadvertently tripped Farense coach José Mota, who also went tumbling to the ground. The Algarve defender received a yellow card, while Galeno appeared to be in some discomfort. Despite the setback, Porto continued to press for the winning goal, eventually finding it when Samu took advantage of a rebound to score what would be the decisive strike.

Farense Coach Blasts Referee and VAR Decisions

Farense head coach José Mota was left fuming after the match, harshly criticizing referee Nuno Almeida and the use of VAR. Mota was particularly aggrieved by the penalty awarded to Porto, which he described as a gift that “fell from the sky.”

“FC Porto needs no introduction; we knew we had to be united and show quality in our play, but it wasn’t always possible. Porto put us under a lot of pressure,” Mota explained in his post-match interview with Sport TV. “We were managing to balance the game, even though Porto had more possession. We felt we could make a difference after halftime with their fatigue, but then came the penalty. It’s hard for me to talk about it. It wasn’t raining today, but the penalty fell from the sky.”

Mota also pointed to what he believed was a foul in the build-up to Porto’s second goal. “After we equalized, I thought we could be more aggressive offensively. But then came Porto’s second goal, and I wonder where VAR is. There’s a clear step on Poloni, but no foul is called. These decisions weigh heavily on us, especially after all the work we’ve put in during the week. Next time, maybe we shouldn’t even bother holding press conferences, because we keep repeating ourselves. If I came from another country, I’d be shocked at the way games are won or lost here,” Mota continued, voicing his frustrations with the officiating.

He then went on to comment on his long experience in Portuguese football, saying, “I’ve been a coach for 25 years. I faced the father of Porto’s current coach back then, and nothing has changed. VAR only seems to see what it wants to see.”

When asked if he had spoken to the referee about the decisions, Mota responded: “I explained it to him, but they don’t explain anything to us. I saw clearly it wasn’t a penalty, but perhaps I’ve just seen too much. It’s not fair, we drove 600 kilometers for this, and it really upsets me.”

Site Opinion: Understandable Frustration

José Mota’s frustration is understandable, as Farense put up a valiant effort against one of Portugal’s top sides, only to feel let down by key officiating decisions. The penalty and the supposed foul in the build-up to Porto’s second goal have cast a shadow over what was an otherwise competitive performance by his team. Mota’s post-match comments about the state of Portuguese football, particularly with regard to officiating, echo sentiments many have shared over the years, raising questions about the consistency of VAR and its impact on smaller clubs like Farense.

For Porto, this match will be seen as a relief more than a statement. While the win keeps them in the title race, their performance was far from convincing. The Dragons struggled to put the game to bed despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Hitting the woodwork four times may have been unlucky, but Porto’s wastefulness in front of goal and occasional defensive lapses, as seen with the equalizer, are concerns that manager Sérgio Conceição will need to address quickly if they are to maintain their championship ambitions.