CAF Champions League
Result: AS Roma 2-1 FC Porto
Date: 12 February 2019
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
A brace from Nicolo Zaniolo guided AS Roma to a 2-1 victory over FC Porto in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Portuguese outfit came into the encounter on a long unbeaten run in all competitions that stretches back to October.
The hosts looked lively from the onset as the partnership of Stefan El Shaarawy and Aleksander Kolarov caused a couple of problems down the left flank.
Porto, meanwhile, took a while to get going, with the first chance arriving after 30 minutes when Francisco Soares forced Antonio Mirante into a save with a close-range effort.
Eight minutes later, the home side went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock through Edin Dzeko, who rattled the upright with a fierce effort.
After a disappointing first half, Roma came out firing in the second half as Cristante forced FC Porto Iker Casillas into a fine save from distance after 53 minutes.
The hosts eventually got their reward on 70 minutes as Nicolo Zaniolo collected a pass from Dzeko before burying the ball into the far corner.
Roma doubled their advantage six minutes later with Zaniolo completing his brace with long-range effort that sailed in off the post.
Moments later, Porto gave themselves a lifeline when substitute Adrian Lopez pounced on Soares' cross-cum-shot to slot past Mirante for the away goal.
Porto pushed for a second goal in the closing stages, but the Serie A side were able to see out the remaining stages to hold on for the win.
