Vannualleave

FC Porto secured a routine 2-0 victory over Casa Pia (I know – who? Apologies to the 100 Casa Pia fans globally) in the Primeira Liga at the Estádio do Dragão. With tickets costing just €12 each (£20 in total), we found ourselves 13 rows behind the goal in the North Stand. The attendance was 32,810 in the 50,033-capacity stadium, with a combination of fan discontent over Porto’s form and the Monday 20:45 kickoff contributing to the lower turnout. You can find our guide to watching FC Porto at Estádio do Dragão here.

First Half

The game started quietly, both on and off the pitch. The Super Dragões ultras, seated opposite us, took time to find their voice, while the Colectivo Ultras 95 in the right corner behind us eventually sparking a back-and-forth chant between the two groups.

Casa Pia, despite being heavy underdogs, held their own in the first half. Porto’s best chances came from a Samu diving header flashing just wide and Otávio’s back-post effort, saved well by Casa Pia keeper Sequeira. The biggest talking point came just before the break, Porto players appealed for a handball inside the box, but the referee waved it away, much to the frustration to the fans around us.

Second Half

Porto came out stronger after the break, and in the 51st minute, Fábio Vieira—on loan from Arsenal—combined with Samu before coolly slotting past Sequeira to open the scoring. Vieira had been the standout player throughout, dictating play with ease.

Minutes later, Porto hit Casa Pia on the break, and Samu finished clinically to make it 2-0. The two goals in quick succession knocked the fight out of Casa Pia, who looked unrecognisable from their first-half performance. Porto nearly made it three when Otávio rattled the post from 20 yards.

At this point, it seemed as though there were more stewards than Casa Pia fans in the away end and if it wasn’t for Sequeira making several key saves, we could have been looking at a cricket score—though I doubt either set of fans would get the reference.

Porto’s only real concern came in the 78th minute when Fábio Vieira went down injured before eventually being substituted to loud applause. 

Final Whistle

As expected, Porto saw out the game comfortably. The atmosphere was satisfied but not electric—a classic case of Goliath beating David. Porto fans were appreciated the victory, but nothing else was expected. Casa Pia’s remaining travelling fans deserve credit, as they sang their team off despite the defeat.