UEFA Europa League Gameweek 7
Plzen 1 - 1 FT FC Porto
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' L. Cerv (M. Valenta)
13' Merchas Doski
34' ↓ C. Kabongo ↑P. Adu
Jakub Kiwior 45'+3
45'+4 Matěj Vydra
HT
↓ B. Sainz ↑Pepê 46'
↓ A. Costa ↑F. Moura 56'
↓ R. Mora ↑G. Veiga 56'
60' ↓ D. Visinsky ↑M. Havel
Jan Bednarek 70'
↓ M. Fernandes ↑A. Varela 71'
↓ William Gomes ↑D. Gul 71'
Pablo Rosario 74'
83' ↓ T. Ladra ↑A. Zeljkovic
Jakub Kiwior 85'
D. Gul (J. Kiwior) 90'
Stephen Eustaquio Bench
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Plzen
Goalkeepers
Florian Wiegele 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Merchas Doski 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
Karel Spáčil 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Cheick Souaré
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Amar Memić
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Lukáš Červ 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Matej Valenta 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.2
Rating
Christophe Kabongo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
34
Entry
Forwards
Tomáš Ladra
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
14%
Pass Acc
Denis Višinský
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Matej Vydra 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.6
Rating
BENCH
Marián Tvrdoň 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Matyáš Šilhavý
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Chalupa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Milan Havel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Petr Kubín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Suchy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jiří Panoš
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Adrian Zeljković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Novak
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Prince Adu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Porto
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Alberto Baio
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
16%
Pass Acc
Jan Bednarek 
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
74
Passes
11
Duels
Jakub Kiwior
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
76
Passes
11
Duels
Martim Fernandes 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
55%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Victor Froholdt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Rosario
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
58
Passes
8
Duels
Rodrigo Mora
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
56
Entry
Forwards
William Gomes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Samu Omorodion 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Borja Sainz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
BENCH
Cláudio Ramos
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
João Costa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Zaidu Sanusi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dominik Prpić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Brás
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Francisco Moura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stephen Eustáquio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabri Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alan Varela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pepê Aquino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Deniz Gül 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
André Miranda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +7
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -1
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -8
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -7
P: 7 GD: -8
P: 7 GD: -10
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Plzen
FC Porto
Plzen
FC Porto
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Heartbreak for Ten-Man Plzen as Porto Rescue a Point
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 67/100. A titanic defensive display from the Czech side was ultimately undone by relentless Portuguese pressure in the dying moments.
Opening Exchange
Plzen erupted into life at Stadion Mesta Plzne, catching FC Porto cold in a fiery opening sequence. Just six minutes in, the hosts carved out a brilliant opportunity as M. Valenta found L. Cerv, who fired his side into a shock early lead. The initial Upset potential was palpable as the Czech outfit effectively disrupted Porto's trademark rhythm. The visitors immediately controlled possession, eventually hoarding 67% of the ball, but they struggled to pierce a highly resolute backline during the first half. The Balance of the tie was entirely dictated by that early strike, forcing the Portuguese giants to chase the game and commit bodies forward, which set the stage for a fascinating tactical standoff in the midfield trenches.
The Turning Point
The entire complexion of the match shattered on the stroke of half-time. A frantic sequence in the Plzen penalty area saw VAR intervene, followed by a straight red card for Matěj Vydra due to a cynical professional handball. Reduced to ten men, the home side's task shifted instantly from structured containment to sheer, desperate survival. The Stakes skyrocketed as the second half commenced. Porto laid absolute siege to the attacking third, racking up 19 total shots and an imposing 2.14 expected goals. Yet, the Plzen goalkeeper produced a staggering seven saves to keep the relentless onslaught at bay. J. Kiwior anchored Porto's endless waves of attack, constantly recycling possession and probing the severely depleted Czech defensive structure.
Dramatic Conclusion
The sheer Intensity of Porto's second-half siege finally broke the dam in the dramatic 90th minute. Kiwior turned provider with brilliant vision, threading a desperate but precise ball into the path of substitute D. Gul, who made no mistake to level the tie at the death. The late strike salvaged a vital point for the visitors, keeping them comfortably in fifth place in the Europa League standings and well-positioned for the upcoming knockout stages. For the brave hosts, the 1-1 draw felt like a devastating gut punch after defending valiantly with ten men for an entire half. However, this hard-earned point critically keeps them in 14th place, ensuring they remain firmly in the mix for the playoff spots.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Matěj Vydra impact the match?
Vydra's 45th-minute dismissal for a professional handball forced Plzen into a deep defensive block, inviting relentless Porto pressure and 19 total shots.
Did Plzen deserve the late equalizer?
Porto actually scored the late equaliser. Given their 67% possession and 2.14 expected goals compared to Plzen's 0.34, Porto's 90th-minute leveller was fully deserved.
How did substitute Lukáš Červ change the game?
Červ actually started the match, setting the tone instantly with a brilliant 6th-minute opening goal that dictated the tactical flow before the red card.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Plzen's Iron Wall Stands Between Porto and Top-Eight Glory
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 53/100. With direct knockout qualification on the line, Porto's attacking stars face a Plzen side that simply refuses to lose but struggles to win.
The Setup
As we head to the Stadion Mesta Plzne on January 22, 2026, the UEFA Europa League league stage is reaching its boiling point. FC Porto sit comfortably in 5th place, hunting a top-eight finish to bypass the playoff round. Plzen occupy 14th, safely inside the top-24 playoff line but desperate to turn draws into victories. A rock-solid Form rating highlights the hosts' incredible defensive record, conceding a miserly 0.2 goals per game. However, a modest Balance score points to their struggles on the other end of the pitch, managing just one home win in their last four attempts. The Stakes are escalating, and Porto will need every ounce of their attacking flair to break the deadlock.
Key Battle
This tie will be decided inside the penalty area. Plzen goalkeeper Martin Jedlička has been a brick wall, racking up 12 saves and two clean sheets in his last three outings. He faces the ultimate test against Porto's Samu Aghehowa. The Portuguese side boasts an off-the-charts Stars rating for a reason, and Aghehowa's clinical finishing is the main weapon they will deploy to crack Plzen's defensive shell.
Our Prediction
Expect a gritty, low-scoring affair. Plzen will sit deep, absorb pressure, and challenge Porto to find a way through. The visitors have the sheer quality to eventually pick the lock. We anticipate a tense 1-0 away victory for Porto, secured late in the second half.