Porto 0-1 Celtic: Late strike gives Celtic edge

Porto 0

Celtic 1

Vennegoor of Hesselink 88

CELTIC gained a measure of revenge for their 2003 UEFA Cup final defeat by FC Porto when substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink won their friendly match against the old foes with a stunning header two minutes from time in Portugal last night.

It was a fixture between the two countries' respective champions and was redolent with history, last night's game being the first time the two clubs had met since that final in Seville.

There was some prior talk that the match might become a testimonial for the charity foundation of Vitor Baia, the goalkeeper whose cheating antics infuriated Celtic on that night in Seville – suffice to say that no such arrangement took place.

Farce ensued at the start, due to a mix-up regarding the time of the supposed 9pm kick-off, which eventually took place after 9.10pm, though the local broadcasters apparently still thought it was booked for 9.30pm.

A crowd of more than 35,000, not many of them Scots, saw Celtic take the field in the Estadio do Dragao with Artur Boruc back in goal after his summer break and just a lone striker up front, namely newly-permanent signing Georgios Samaras. The Portuguese champions had plenty of South American stars but just two home-born players in their starting line up, Bruno Alves and Raul Meireles.

Celtic started the busier, with Paul Hartley deep in central midfield and Scott Brown, Barry Robson and even the supposedly workshy Massimo Donati doing the fetch-and-carry work, though it was not a high-paced start to the match. The first real chance fell to Cristian Sapunaru whose header went just over Boruc's bar in 15 minutes. Boruc then saved Celtic after 19 minutes, when Samaras gave away possession and Lisandro Lopez broke though for Porto, the Polish goalkeeper saving superbly from the Argentine international.

The home side began to pile on the pressure, and only Aiden McGeady's runs relieved the siege. Though Celtic were creating no chances, they were defending stoutly.

A long-range effort from McGeady in 37 minutes was deflected wide before Cristian Rodriguez shot into the side netting at the other end.

Celtic's best chance came in the 42nd minute when a free kick from Robson on the right wing was headed just wide of Helton's right-hand post. But the half ended with Porto attacking and Celtic clearing a trifle frantically at times.

With no score at half-time, after playing in their familiar blue and white stripes, Porto mysteriously emerged in their third colours of pale blue.

Boruc came to Celtic's rescue again with another point blank stop from Rodriguez in 53 minutes. Porto were enjoying most possession, but Celtic were composed in defence and McManus in particular was resolute.

Vennegoor of Hesselink, Scott McDonald and Paul Caddis replaced McGeady, Samaras, and Robson, while Bobo Balde came on for Donati and almost scored a few minutes later, his header from a Hartley corner skimming over. The impressive Scott Brown was tackled late by Argentine Jorge Fucile, one of the few niggly moments until then. The tempo increased and Brown was battling for everything until Strachan, perhaps wisely, replaced him with Darren O'Dea.

Celtic's winner came with 88 minutes on the clock. Celtic played their way out of defence and this time the ball made its way to Hartley in a dangerous position on the left with the Porto defence retreating in disarray.

Hartley turned inside and a clever chip-come-cross from his right foot found Vennegoor of Hesselink rushing to the six-yard line. The Dutchman buried his point blank header behind substitute goalkeeper Nuno for a win that will greatly hearten the Celtic support.

It should be noted that the Porto supporters sportingly applauded Celtic at the end, as they did in Seville. The fans of both clubs, it seems, will never forget that night.