Porto Bounces Roma outta the Champions Bracket in Extra Time

Amazing.

First, Paris Saint-Germain screws the pooch at home against Manchester United, and now this.

AS Roma came waltzing into the Estadio do Dragao with a 2-1 first-leg Champions League Round of 16 victory in their pocket, and then they wet the bed.

It took FC Porto extra time to do it, but the Dragões came roaring back to post a 3-1 triumph to claim a 4-3 aggregate result that punched their ticket to the quarter-finals.

 

Life in the pre-Certs era had to be a bitch, but we digress.

As the game started, we could clearly see Roma's strategy. Give Porto the ball, and hunt for counter-attacking opportunities.

The hosts pushed for an early goal, but it still took until the 26th minute to grab the opener. Dudes stole the ball in Roma's half, and Moussa Marega's cross found Tiquinho Soares:

 

From that point, Porto spent a spell of taking control of the game, as Roma looked trapped.

However, in the 37th minute, Éder Militão fouled Diego Perotti inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Daniele de Rossi stepped in to level things up:

 

The Giallorossi -- Yellow and Reds -- shoulda seen this as a clue to raise their game.

 

But no.

After the break, Porto seized the momentum, and in the 52nd, a Jesús Corona cross found Marega. Done deal:

 

Porto absolutely dominated the second half, but after a few missed chances, it seemed extra-time was pre-destined.

When the game got there, Roma ironically had the best chances, mainly through Edin Džeko, but no go.

Then, just when it seemed a penalty shootout was on the cards, Alessandro Florenzi got caught by the VAR holding Fernando by his shirt inside the box. This gave Porto a shot from the spot in the 117th, and Alex Telles converted it:

 

The game actually continued until the 125th minute, but Roma could barely threaten Iker Casillas.

The Dragões advance, and the celebrations in Lisbon continued through the night.

As they should.