Porto Power Past Nice as Roma Edge Midtjylland on a Busy European Night
FC Porto cruised to a 3–0 victory over Nice with Gabri Veiga starring, while Roma battled their way to a hard-earned 2–1 win over FC Midtjylland at the Stadio Olimpico. Two very different matches, two deserved winners.
FC Porto delivered a ruthless, commanding performance at Estadio do Dragao, sweeping aside Nice 3–0 to tighten their grip on European qualification. The Portuguese giants exploded out of the blocks, scoring inside the first minute, and never allowed their visitors a moment of comfort.
Barely seconds had passed when Gabri Veiga pounced on a clever pass from Pepe, taking a perfect first touch before guiding a precise right-footed finish into the bottom corner. The early breakthrough set the tone: Porto were sharper, stronger, faster, and fully in control. Nice struggled to settle, and Porto punished them again in the 33rd minute.
This time, Veiga struck with his left foot again from the centre of the box after Victor Froholdt threaded a delightful pass through traffic. The midfielder took the ball in stride and smashed it high into the net to complete his brace. Porto entered the halftime break 2–0 ahead, brimming with confidence and superiority.
The pattern continued in the second half. Nice tried to push higher, but Porto’s structure never wavered. Their pressure forced mistakes, and in the 61st minute, they earned a penalty. Samu Aghehowa stepped up and coolly guided his spot kick straight down the middle to put the hosts 3–0 up. From there, it was a matter of game management, and Porto executed it flawlessly.
The match ended with Porto boasting a clean sheet, three goals, and a statement of intent. Their European charge remains on track, while Nice leave licking their wounds after a night in which they never gained traction.
At the Stadio Olimpico, Roma were made to work far harder, but ultimately emerged 2–1 winners over FC Midtjylland in a gritty, emotionally charged affair. The Italians started brightly and needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock. Zeki Celik whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Neil El Aynaoui attacked it with conviction, steering a composed right-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Roma used their early lead to control the tempo, pressing Midtjylland off the ball and recycling possession through midfield. The Danish visitors struggled to create meaningful chances, rarely troubling the home defence. The half ended with Roma ahead and in command.
The second half demanded more resilience. Midtjylland pushed higher, but Roma found their moment on the counter. In the 83rd minute, Leon Bailey burst forward at speed, drawing defenders before slipping the ball to Stephan El Shaarawy. The veteran forward arrived with perfect timing, stroking a clean finish into the centre of the goal to double Roma’s advantage.
The Olimpico erupted but the tension wasn’t gone yet.
Midtjylland struck back just three minutes later. Aral Simsir slid a clever ball into Paulinho, who took a touch inside the area and tucked a left-footed effort into the bottom corner to make it 2–1. Roma were forced into a nervy final spell, but they stayed organised, limiting space and slowing the tempo to see out the win.
When the whistle finally blew, Roma had survived the late scare and secured an important victory that strengthens their place in the European race. Midtjylland, despite their spirited finish, were left with too much to do too late.
Two matches, two contrasting stories Porto ruthless, Roma resilient. Both walk away with victories that push their campaigns forward at a crucial stage.
