Porto deliver sharp performance to defeat Stuttgart and reach Europa League quarterfinals

Aiming to draw level in the aggregate, the German side started aggressively, with Angelo Stiller’s free kicks creating issues, as Costa had to divert a header from Jeff Chabot beyond the bar, while Chris Fuhrich blazed his shot high.

Deniz Undav then curled an effort astray from a cutback by Fuhrich, and that profligacy allowed Porto to strike back in the 21st minute. Rather unexpectedly given the flow, Borja Sainz’s persistence paid off when the ball deflected into his path off Atakan Karazor’s challenge, setting up William Gomes to finish from close range.

Despite increasing their advantage, Porto faced challenges in holding onto it, picking up three bookings within the first 30 minutes.

The Portuguese outfit demonstrated they could widen the gap further, with Sainz surging ahead once more to link up with Zaidu Sanusi, whose attempt the keeper parried.

Costa needed to produce further strong moments to preserve the scoreline, diving to push Bilal El Khannouss’s effort away before somehow blocking Chris Fuhrich’s shot that seemed headed for the top corner.

Sainz then missed the target with his own strike, prior to Rodrigo Mora guiding his attempt just beyond the upright.

It was not long into the second half before Costa impressed again, swiftly reacting to palm Deniz Undav’s shot aside.

The shotstopper found himself idle as Maximilian Mittelstadt floated a weak effort past the post, and even when Undav chipped over him, the ball drifted wide, leaving the Germans goalless amid their persistent assaults.

Porto ventured upfield themselves and landed a crushing second in the 72nd minute, with Victor Froholdt losing possession to Stiller only to regain it and rifle an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

The situation deteriorated rapidly for the away team, as Nikolas Nartey earned a second yellow card in quick succession, resulting in his dismissal just 15 minutes after entering the fray.

Porto maintained their intensity right through to secure a shutout to go with their 11th victory in the last 12 home matches in all tournaments, earning a matchup with Nottingham Forest in what marks their initial Europa League last eight appearance since the 2013/14 season.

By comparison, Stuttgart managed only a single triumph in their previous five road games, bowing out of the tournament.