UEFA Europa League Gameweek 1
Red Bull Salzburg 0 - 1 FT FC Porto
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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Manchester City
5-3
Sunderland
⚡ Intensity
100
⚖️ Balance
91
🏆 Stakes
67
🎲 Upset
0
Eight goals, hat-trick heroics, pure chaos.
Futmetrix Verdict
55
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Gamba Osaka
0-1
Vissel Kobe
⚡ Intensity
40
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
78
🎲 Upset
0
Erik breaks Gamba hearts at 90'
Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Atletico Madrid
2-1
Real Madrid
⚡ Intensity
86
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
60
A chaotic derby flips Madrid's hierarchy.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
↓ G. Veiga ↑F. Moura 53'
↓ Zaidu ↑M. Fernandes 53'
↓ Pepê ↑William Gomes 53'
58' Petar Ratkov
65' ↓ M. K. Yeo ↑K. Onisiwo
65' ↓ K. Alajbegovic ↑M. Kjaergaard
65' ↓ P. Ratkov ↑Y. Vertessen
65' ↓ E. Baidoo ↑S. Kitano
↓ A. Varela ↑R. Mora 66'
↓ Samu ↑D. Gul 77'
80' Jacob Rasmussen
86' Yorbe Vertessen
William Gomes (M. Fernandes) 90'
90'+2 ↓ M. Bidstrup ↑L. Gourna-Douath
William Gomes 90'+3
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Red Bull Salzburg
Goalkeepers
Alexander Schlager 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Stefan Lainer 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Kouakou Joane Gadou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jacob Rasmussen 
SHIELD
3
Blocks
3
Blocks
0
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Aleksa Terzić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Mads Bidstrup
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Soumaïla Diabaté 
ENFORCER
5
Tackles
5
Tackles
6
Duels Won
75%
Win %
Moussa Yeo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Kerim-Sam Alajbegović 
DRIBBLER
5
Dribbles
5
Dribbles
5
Attempts
100%
Success %
Forwards
Petar Ratkov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Edmund Baidoo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
BENCH
Christian Zawieschitzky 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Salko Hamzić
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Frans Krätzig
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rocco Žiković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maurits Kjærgaard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mamady Diambou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Gourna-Douath
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tim Trummer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sota Kitano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Karim Onisiwo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yorbe Vertessen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Enrique Aguilar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Porto
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Pablo Rosario
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jan Bednarek 
MAGNET
93
Activity
93
Activity
87
Passes
6
Duels
Jakub Kiwior 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Zaidu Sanusi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
53
Total Mins
53
Entry
Midfielders
Victor Froholdt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alan Varela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Gabri Veiga
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Pepê Aquino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
53
Total Mins
53
Entry
Samu Omorodion 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Borja Sainz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Cláudio Ramos
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
João Costa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alberto Baio
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
Martim Fernandes 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
37
Minutes
6.6
Rating
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
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rodrigo Mora
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Teixeira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
William Gomes 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.2
Rating
Deniz Gül
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ángel Alarcón
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Red Bull Salzburg
FC Porto
Red Bull Salzburg
FC Porto
Late Substitute Magic Shatters Salzburg's Resistance
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. Porto's 90th-minute strike proves the difference in a grueling tactical battle defined by VAR controversy and defensive heroics.
Opening Act
At the Red Bull Arena, both sides traded blows in a fascinating clash that showcased immense Intensity from the opening whistle. FC Porto controlled possession with 57 percent of the ball, dictating the tempo, yet Red Bull Salzburg refused to fold easily. The hosts absorbed the pressure intelligently and looked to strike swiftly on the counter-attack, firing 14 shots compared to Porto's 15 in a match that generated an impressive 29 total attempts. Despite the barrage of efforts, the final third lacked a clinical edge early on, with only six combined efforts seriously testing the goalkeepers. The Balance of the tie hung on a knife-edge, as both defensive units stood absolutely firm to deny any early breakthroughs, setting the stage for a tight, error-free European encounter.
The Pivot
The match truly ignited in the 58th minute when Salzburg thought they had struck gold in front of their supporters. Petar Ratkov found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into raptures, but the celebrations were abruptly silenced. VAR intervened decisively to cancel the goal, completely shifting the momentum and raising the Stakes for the remainder of the contest. Sensing a vulnerability, Porto's manager turned to the bench in a masterstroke of game management. Substitutes William Gomes and M. Fernandes had entered the fray just minutes earlier, injecting a lethal dose of attacking pace and creativity. The visitors ratcheted up their corner pressure, forcing eight set-pieces of their own to suffocate the Austrian side deep in their own half.
Resolution
Just as the fixture seemed destined for a frustrating stalemate, Porto delivered the ultimate sucker punch to the hosts. In the 90th minute, Fernandes perfectly set up Gomes, who fired home the dramatic late winner, averting any chance of an Upset in Austria. This crucial 1-0 away victory solidifies Porto's grip on the promotion playoff spots, keeping them comfortably in fifth place with 17 points and well within striking distance of the European elite. The tactical defensive masterclass from Jakub Kiwior anchored the Portuguese giants beautifully, rightfully earning him Man of the Match honors for his leadership. Meanwhile, Salzburg remains stranded in a disappointing 31st place, left to rue what could have been if VAR had ruled differently in the second half.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR overturned a 58th-minute goal by Petar Ratkov, denying Salzburg the lead and shifting momentum back to FC Porto.
What made Jakub Kiwior the Man of the Match?
Kiwior anchored FC Porto's defense brilliantly, keeping a crucial clean sheet under intense pressure to earn his elite rating.
How dramatic was the late winner by Jakub Kiwior?
While Kiwior was exceptional in defense, the dramatic 90th-minute winning goal for FC Porto was actually scored by substitute William Gomes.
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.
Porto Aim to Exploit Salzburg's Early Struggles
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 11/100. A low Stakes rating strips away immediate knockout drama, but Porto's sheer quality makes them heavy favourites to pile misery onto their Austrian hosts.
The Setup
The mission is clear at the Red Bull Arena on September 25, 2025: survive and advance. The Europa League format demands early consistency, and FC Porto are delivering just that. Sitting comfortably in fifth place with 17 points, the Portuguese side are firmly hunting a top-eight direct qualification spot. Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg are languishing in 31st place with a dismal six points. A poor Form rating highlights the hosts' nightmare start, suffering six defeats in eight games. Despite a modest Stars rating overall, the visitors boast game-changers like Samu, Diogo Costa, and Rodrigo Mora. The home side will rely heavily on N. Dorgeles and O. Gloukh to spark a much-needed revival, though a low Balance rating suggests a one-sided affair.
Key Battle
The contest will be decided between Salzburg's fragile defensive block and Porto's relentless attacking unit. The Austrian side must plug gaps in transition, or the visitors will ruthlessly exploit the wide channels.
Our Prediction
Porto will dominate possession and dictate the tempo from the first whistle. Expect a clinical 2-0 victory for the away side, pushing Salzburg closer to an early European exit.