Porto were the triumphant team in a cagey affair down in Northern France thanks to a Hector Herrera goal midway through the second half.
Lille in truth were never in the match as Porto dominated possession for large chunks of the game. This was most likely down to Lille’s lack of attacking threats as Kalou and Origi never really produced against a dominant Porto back 4 that included debutant Bruno Martins Indi. A team that only scored 46 goals in the league season was always going to struggle against the side from Portugal and now they have it all to do when they go to the Estadio Dragoa.
Jackson Martinez showed his quality by causing the second best defence in Ligue 1 problems all evening. The game itself however, had very little chances with both sides only manufacturing 9 shots between them. However, the breakthrough came on the hour mark as Torres worked his way down the wing with some clever wing play and after Martinez’s header was saved Herrera put in the rebound. Lille did create some chances but failed to capitalise on them in order to take a respectable result to the 2nd leg.
Porto now go into the second leg in the driving seat and will be fully expected to finish the job on their home ground. Hopefully, the 2nd leg will be a more open affair as this game really was one that would’ve tested even the hardest of football fans to look.
