Porto wins Europa League title
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Braga's Paulo Cesar (left) challenges Porto's Fredy Guarin during the?UEFA Europa League final at the Dublin Arena in dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, May 18 2011. [Source:CFP] |
Radamel Falcao swooped just before half time to settle the Europa League final in Porto's favour with a 1-0 win over Sporting Braga in Dublin.
Porto proved it doesn't need Jose Mourinho to produce something special.
Eight years after Mourinho led Porto to the 2003 UEFA Cup title, another young Portuguese coach helped the club to victory in the same tournament that helped launch the Special One.
Custodio wasted an early Braga chance when he smashed a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area but they soon settled into a defence-minded strategy.
But Porto, whose dominance in their domestic league saw them go unbeaten and finish 38 points ahead of Braga, were far from their best in Dublin.
Falcao played little part in the match before breaking away from his marker to score, heading a perfect cross from Fred Guarin into the top corner.
Substitute Mossoro nearly scored for Braga one minute into the second half but his low shot was saved by Helton.
Porto's victory continues their superb season, in which they have won their league title and remain on course for a Treble - they face Guimaraes in the Portuguese Cup on Sunday.
And coach Andre Villas-Boas becomes the youngest man - at 33 - to win a Uefa club competition.
