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The Brazilian actor was the best on the pitch in the win against Estoril, in a game that left another taste of a boy from a special caste
Best on the pitch: Pepê (8)
He is a figure not only because of his incredible equalizer in the 24th minute, but mainly because of him as well. The Brazilian saw an injured Pedro Amaral in front of him and ruled out the possibility of isolating himself in front of the Estoril goalkeeper, refusing to take advantage of his fellow professional’s misfortune. He stopped play, got some whistles from the stands, but the sporting world will certainly be applauding his actions. And because karma doesn’t always have to be negative, four minutes later he was presented with an unexpected pass from Boma that left him isolated to score from an open goal. Along with Martim Fernandes, he was the most active player in the Porto side.
Diogo Costa (6) – A game without much work for the Porto captain. However, he made a great save in the 23rd after Pedro Álvaro’s header. He is also the first man to think about the attack, as seen in the pass isolated by Pepê at 24m, or in the careful way he sent Mora for the fourth goal.
Martim Fernandes (8) – The boy is from a special caste and is full of confidence. It is 18 years of training in a thin body, but with an intensity that lasts. After two trips to the baseline in which he won two corners, he was very clever in reading Namaso’s entry and extended the follow-up, with a pass just beyond the midfield line, for the opening goal. In the second half he added another assist after joining Pepê, before crossing Galeno’s header. João Mário won the title and no one turns their nose up at the choice anymore.
Nehuén Pérez (6) – An important cut was made at 56m after Pedro Carvalho’s shot. With FC Porto playing very forward, they managed several interceptions in a high position, preventing chills from the start.
Tiago Djaló (6) – Invincible. He seems to have earned his place in the center of defense alongside Nehuén and the calmness with which he reacts to pressure helps explain that. He also has a ball outlet that helps break lines in more closed games.
Francisco Moura (6) – The quality of crosses from the full-back hired from Famalicão helps explain the number of goals scored by Samu. At 10m, he made another perfect pass, but the Spanish striker let the ball slip away. However, he had a more discreet game, seeing the other runner shine.
Nico González (7) – He played deeper than usual and you can understand why Vítor Bruno did not give up on the Spaniard. Very intelligent, he can play different roles on the pitch and always seems to be in the right place.
Fábio Vieira (5) – The midfielder has returned to FC Porto, but is still far from the level he showed when Arsenal came to sign him from Dragão. The quality is there, however, trust levels are very low and this prevents everyone from seeing the best version of the creative. He left just over 20 minutes to go without leaving much of a mark on the game.
Namaso (6) – Almost three months later, he scored again. It wasn’t the happiest shot, but it earned Robles a bad approach. At half-time he missed a great chance to score twice, with a penalty kick moving after an assist from Pepê. At 68 he missed again against the Estoril goalkeeper, after a great pass from Eustaquio. He could have been left with a lot more laughs considering the opportunities he had.
Eustáquio (7) – The pass he isolated Namaso, at 68m, was worth the direct entrance. It is one of those moves that if he had scored a goal, the world would go around. He came on at half-time and brought more to the game than Alan Varela. The Canadian international appears to be playing with an unblocker. He sees what others can’t and that’s a very useful weapon in closing games.
Galeno (8) – Seeing the Brazilian on the bench is the best sign that FC Porto’s team is doing well. Because if you have the luxury of leaving out what is probably the biggest imbalance, and still continue to score goals, it’s because you’re healthy. And if he responds with two goals when he comes in, the image gains even more strength. He made it 3-0 with an easy header after a cross from Martim Fernandes and scored twice to finish, in a new goal he only had to push, given the quality of João Mário’s pass.
Rodrigo Mora (6) – He stayed on the pitch for about 10 minutes, enough to start the play that resulted in the fourth goal. He drove through the central corridor until he dropped it to Gonçalo Borges, who then dropped João Mário, and helped Galeno.
João Mário (7) – Four minutes after entering the field, he started from the right side and assisted Galeno’s double, who only had to touch the ball. It showed again that the coach has a big headache when it comes to the right back.
Gonçalo Borges (6) – He had a direct involvement in the fourth goal, one minute after entering the field.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone, to another edition of our sports segment. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with football expert and analyst, Dr. Luis Santos. Dr. Santos, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Luis Santos (DLS): Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to talk about the beautiful game.
TNE: Let’s dive right into the recent match featuring FC Porto against Estoril. Pepê was a standout player, not just for scoring an important goal, but also for his sportsmanship, refusing to capitalize on Pedro Amaral’s injury. What does this say about his character as a player?
DLS: Pepê’s actions on the pitch highlighted a rare quality in athletes today—empathy. By choosing to stop playing and check on Amaral instead of seizing an opportunity to score, he displayed a level of respect for his fellow professional that many may overlook. It reinforces the idea that sportsmanship should transcend competition, and his choice certainly resonates positively in the sporting community.
TNE: Indeed, and it seems karma was on his side! Four minutes later, he scored an open goal. How important is that ability to quickly shake off negative situations and capitalize on new opportunities in football?
DLS: That’s crucial in football. The mental aspect of the game can often be as important as physical ability. Pepê exemplifies resilience—he faced a mixed reaction from the crowd for his decision but was able to refocus and convert that moment into a scoring opportunity shortly after. Players must learn to compartmentalize experiences and keep a level head, especially in high-stakes environments.
TNE: Shifting to Martim Fernandes, the young player also received praise alongside Pepê. At just 18 years old, he assisted both of Pepê’s goals. How does his performance signal a promising future for FC Porto?
DLS: Martim Fernandes is a prime example of the talent emerging from youth academies today. With 18 years of training and confidence on the pitch, his ability to impact the game at such a young age demonstrates that FC Porto has a strong foundation for nurturing talent. His combination of technical skill and intelligence in reading the game allows him to make contributions that can elevate a team’s performance significantly.
TNE: Shifting gears a bit, what were your thoughts on the overall performance of the team, especially the defensive aspects? Players like Nehuén Pérez and Tiago Djaló had commendable outings, indicating a solid defensive structure.
DLS: Absolutely. The defensive lineup showed great understanding and synergy. Players like Pérez and Djaló are crucial for maintaining composure under pressure and facilitating the transition from defense to attack. Their ability to intercept plays high up the pitch prevented Estoril from gaining any momentum and demonstrates the importance of having a reliable backline. It’s all about balance: while attacking prowess is often celebrated, a solid defense is the backbone of any successful team.
TNE: And what about the midfield? With Nico González playing a deeper role than usual, how do you evaluate his performance in the context of team dynamics?
DLS: Nico González has showcased his versatility, which is an invaluable asset for any team. By playing deeper, he added stability to the midfield, allowing more freedom for the attacking players. His intelligence in positioning means he can adapt to various roles—whether it’s facilitating play or helping solidify the defense. Coaches rely on such players, especially to maintain control during critical phases of the game.
TNE: Lastly, what do you think is next for FC Porto after this impressive win? What should they focus on as they move forward in the season?
DLS: Winning games like this one is certainly a confidence booster, but consistency is key. They need to build on this performance, ensuring their players maintain form and fitness. Specifically, they should focus on developing younger talents like Pepê and Fernandes while also integrating returning players like Fábio Vieira back into peak form. A blend of experience and youth is often the formula for success.
TNE: Dr. Santos, it’s been a pleasure having you here to dissect this exciting match and FC Porto’s strategies. Thank you for your insights!
DLS: Thank you for having me! Looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds.
