Dybala’s Brace Secures Roma’s Triumph Over 10-Man Porto in Europa League Exit

AS Roma has secured their passage to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the second leg, clinching the tie 4-3 on aggregate against Porto, who fell to their first European knockout defeat against Serie A opposition across two legs.

With the match finely poised, Roma started positively and came close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes. Lorenzo Pellegrini connected with a diving header from Zeki Celik’s high ball, but it sailed over the crossbar.

Pellegrini later set up Eldor Shomurodov for a header that went wide, and it felt inevitable that the Giallorossi would find the net first.

Yet, Porto had other plans, as Samu put them ahead 2-1 on aggregate in spectacular style.

Claudio Ranieri lamented a goalkeeping error from Mile Svilar, who managed to redeem himself by denying Stephen Eustaquio. However, Fabio Vieira capitalised on the loose ball; his initial shot was blocked by Gianluca Mancini, but he quickly nodded the rebound towards Samu, who unleashed an unstoppable overhead kick.

The visitors’ celebrations were short-lived, as Paulo Dybala equalised with a delightful lofted finish over Diogo Costa, following a brilliant sequence of play with Shomurodov, made possible by Manu Kone’s tenacity in midfield.

Kone had a hand in Roma’s second goal as well, setting up Dybala for a superb left-footed strike that went past Costa at his near post, giving the Giallorossi a 3-2 lead on aggregate at the interval.

Martín Anselmi’s side faced a setback just six minutes into the second half, as referee Francois Letexier consulted the pitchside monitor regarding an incident involving Eustaquio and Leandro Paredes.

Eustaquio received a straight red card for a reckless swipe at the Argentine international, who fell to the ground dramatically, holding his face.

Shomurodov sought to extend Roma’s dominance but painfully missed the target with a close-range effort before having another attempt disallowed for offside a moment later.

Evan Ndicka might consider himself lucky to have avoided a red card himself after infringing Samu, as the Spanish forward’s shot hit the post.

Any chance of a Porto revival was practically extinguished when Niccolo Pisilli expertly finished Angelino’s cross, securing Roma’s spot in Friday’s draw, where they will face either Athletic Club or Lazio. However, Porto managed to find a consolation when Devyne Rensch inadvertently put a Goncalo Borges cross into his own net deep in stoppage time.