FC Porto Advances to Europa League Play-Offs with 1-0 Win Over Maccabi Tel Aviv

BELGRADE, Serbia — FC Porto secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, advancing to the Europa League play-offs and keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the Round of 16. The match, held at the Rajko Mitić Stadium, saw Porto dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities, ultimately sealing the win with a decisive goal.

Porto’s victory was marked by a standout performance from midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who was deployed as a center defender for the first time in his career. “It’s a new position for me,” Eustáquio said after the match. “The coach may want to play with a central defender or a midfielder there, and he had already warned me. I tried to learn as much as possible in two days, and I’m happy because the team won.”

The Canadian international credited his teammates and coaching staff for their support, emphasizing the importance of communication on the field. “Our communication was very strong, and that’s also why we won,” he added.

Porto’s manager, Martín Anselmi, praised his team’s resilience, particularly after a recent string of disappointing results. “We knew we had to win to move forward and to end the bad streak,” Anselmi said. “We got it in a tough stadium. I take this opportunity to thank our fans who have come so far to support us.”

The match was a physical contest, with both teams committing numerous fouls. Porto’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa making several key saves to preserve the clean sheet. Maccabi Tel Aviv, despite their efforts, struggled to break through Porto’s defensive line and were unable to capitalize on their limited chances.

With this win, Porto now looks ahead to the play-offs, where they will face either Roma of Italy or Viktoria Plzeň of the Czech Republic. Eustáquio expressed optimism about the team’s future, stating, “We already won the Super Cup, now we are going after the championship, and we still have the Europa League as well.”

The victory was a significant boost for Porto, who have faced challenges in both domestic and European competitions this season. The team’s fans, who traveled to Belgrade in large numbers, were instrumental in providing support throughout the match. “We want the fans on our side, and we play for the good of FC Porto, just as they want the good of FC Porto,” Eustáquio said. “Together, we will be happier.”