Porto 2-0 Lyon

Champions League photos

A goal in each half enabled Porto to take a healthy lead into the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Lyon.

Porto went ahead just before the break when Carlos Alberto's cross was driven back across the goal by Benni McCarthy and turned in by Deco's thigh.

Midfielder Deco then turned provider when his 71st-minute free-kick was headed home by Ricardo Carvalho.

Lyon continued to counter-attack but were let down by poor finishing.

As soon as the match got under way, Porto pressed forward in search of a goal but Lyon's defence were solid and the French side proved quick on the break.

And when the home side did penetrate the Lyon back four, they did not make the most of their chances.

Porto's attacking full-backs Paulo Ferreira and Nuno Valente provided frequent service from the wings but their pinpoint crosses more often than not went begging.

McCarthy was the worst culprit, mishitting his volley when sprung through the offside trap by Maniche and then shortly afterwards blasting over when Lyon failed to clear their lines.

But the South African made amends a minute before half-time when he drove Carlos Alberto's floating cross back across the goal.

The ball struck the thigh of Deco, who was rushing into the six-yard box, and flew past Gregory Coupet in the Lyon goal.

It was perhaps harsh on Lyon that they should go into the break behind but for all their threat on the counter-attack, their chances were few and far between in the first half.

There were just two threats of note, coming when Sydney Govou's shot was deflected over while Giovane Elber's header nearly wrong-footed Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia.

Lyon pushed forward more in the second half but then ran the risk of leaving themselves exposed to the counter-attack.

Carlos Alberto nearly took advantage for Porto with a weaving run infield but his 25-yard shot brushed over the crossbar.

Porto doubled their advantage after 71 minutes when Deco's excellent cross was met by Carvalho's smart header.

From then on, Lyon lost their way and by the end were hanging on as Porto, conquerors of Manchester United in the last round, surged forward looking for a third goal which would have sealed their place in the semi-finals.

---

FC Porto: Vitor Baia, Pedro Emanuel, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Paulo Ferreira, Costinha (Bosingwa 78), Deco, Maniche, Carlos Alberto (Jankauskas 58), Alenitchev (Ricardo Fernandes 82), McCarthy.
Subs Not Used: Nuno, Secretario, Mario Silva, Cesar Peixoto.

Booked: Nuno Valente, Bosingwa.

Lyon: Coupet, Deflandre (Reveillere 74), Edmilson, Essien, Diarra, Juninho (Dhorasoo 46), Malouda, Muller, Govou, Luyindula, Elber. Subs Not Used: Vercoutre, Berthod, Gomez, Carriere, Bergougnoux.
Booked: Malouda, Muller.

Attendance: 46,910

Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway).