Porto 2-0 AVS - Martin Anselmi off the mark at Estádio do Dragão | OneFootball

Martin Anselmi earned his first win at Estádio do Dragão where Porto secured a 2-0 victory against AVS. The manager switched to a back four, Rodrigo Mora scoring early on and Nacho Rodríguez sent off in the 46th minute.

Fábio Vieira sealed the deal but the Dragons didn't have it all their own way, Diogo Costa making two great saves to deny John Mercado and Gerson Rodrigues.

Fábio Vieira tested Ochoa from long range as the contest went one way, but the visitors went close when John Mercado went on a surging run from inside his own half. He had too much speed for Stephen Eustáquio, getting clear and losing balance in a one-on-one with Diogo Costa who made a great save.

Porto went ahead in the 18th minute when João Mário released Pepê, the winger forcing a save from Guillermo Ochoa with Rodrigo Mora tucking the follow up into the net.

Samu headed Fábio Vieira’s cross against the post and drew a foul from Nacho Rodríguez that saw the centre-back booked on the stroke of half-time. The second half had barely begun when Rodríguez went in late on Francisco Moura and was shown a second yellow card.

The Dragons extended their lead in the 61st minute, Moura teasing a cross into the box where Vieira volleyed past Ochoa.

Samu tested the goalkeeper before AVS went close to clawing a goal back, Gerson Rodrigues getting behind Porto's defence and heading a golden opportunity too close to Costa who made another sharp save.

The rain bucketed down as Porto ended the game in the ascendancy, Eustáquio, Samu and William Gomes all firing late efforts at Ochoa.

It was a significant win for Martin Anselmi who switched to a back four, João Mário and Francisco Moura heavily involved with Stephen Eustáquio and Alan Varela providing cover from midfield. Fábio Vieira, Rodrigo Mora and Pepê started together for the second time in ten games under the Argentine.

The match marked the first time Porto found the net in the first half of game at Estádio do Dragão this year. It was their first home win in six attempts in 2025, the victory seeing Anselmi's side rejoin Braga in third spot.