UEL | Lazio 2-1 Porto: Inspired Pedro keeps perfect start going

Pedro struck deep into stoppages to maintain Lazio’s perfect start to the Europa League, beating FC Porto 2-1 with Alessio Romagnoli also on target.

The Biancocelesti were top of the Europa League table with a perfect record, but Tijjani Noslin was suspended, Patric injured and Gaetano Castrovilli ineligible. Porto held Manchester United 3-3 at Old Trafford and beat TSG Hoffenheim, with Atletico Madrid-owned striker Samu Omorodion netting 11 goals in as many games this season. However, Wendell, Ivan Jaime, Marko Grujic and Ivan Marcano didn’t make the trip.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Samuel Gigot was booked after just four minutes for his high boot on Eustaquio, while Taty Castellanos had the ball in the net moments later, but had wandered offside.

Matias Vecino tested Diogo Costa from the edge of the box, but Porto had a huge opportunity on 34 minutes when Fabio Vieira’s curler seemed to take a slight deflection from 15 yards and bounced off the inside of the far top corner of the frame of the goal.

Porto had another big chance when the ball was flashed across the six-yard box, but Samu Omorodion was just unable to reach it for the tap-in.

Lazio broke the deadlock deep into first half stoppages when Castellanos knocked down a corner and the rather uncertain Diogo Costa could only watch as Alessio Romagnoli nodded in at the back post, where he had to compete with teammate Vecino to get the free header.

epa11708545 SS Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli (L) scores the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SS Lazio and FC Porto, in Rome, Italy, 07 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI — epa11708545 SS Lazio’s Alessio Romagnoli (L) scores the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SS Lazio and FC Porto, in Rome, Italy, 07 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI

Porto continued to build the pressure after the restart and secured the equaliser when Varela burst down the left and pulled back from the by-line for Stephen Eustaquio to sweep in with the inside of the boot.

Lazio should’ve restored their advantage moments later, but Vecino steered the Pedro cross over from seven yards when he ghosted into the box.

Pedro’s pull-back from the left was just behind Gustav Isaksen and Nicolò Rovella’s follow-up was straight at the goalkeeper.

Lazio were pushing for the winner and they got it in stoppages, because Isaksen’s cross went past everyone for Pedro to ghost in at the back post, controlling with his chest and bundling in with his right foot from six yards. The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico went wild for yet another crucial Pedro goal in the Europa League.