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The 2003 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 21, 2003 between Celtic F.C. of Scotland and F.C. Porto of Portugal. Porto won the match 3-2 in extra time thanks to a goal from Derlei. This was also the first game to use the silver goal rule, although it did not affect the outcome of the game as Porto scored in the second half of extra time, thus meaning the game had to be played until the end of extra time.[1] Despite being an exciting and well fought match from both clubs it is perhaps most remarkable for having the largest travelling support for any one team at a European tie. Reports from FIFA and various sources placed the number of Celtic supporters in the city (whether they could attend the match or not) at "upwards of 80 000"[citation needed] For this incredible turnout and the manner with which they conducted themselves, police remarking that not a single disturbance was made in the city despite the mass numbers, Celtic fans received an official award from FIFA and UEFA, winning the FIFA Fair Play Award that year and being presented with a formal recognition from UEFA at a home match the following season. [2]
[edit] Match summary
F.C. Porto became the first team to win a trophy on the silver goal rule as they overcame Celtic F.C., to claim their first UEFA Cup. The hot weather meant that the game was played at a relatively slow pace which seemed to favour Porto, and led to a number of rash challenges from Celtic, one of which led to Joos Valgaeren getting a yellow card on 8 minutes. After this it was a stoic affair, until 32 minutes into the first half when Capucho played in Deco, but he could do no more than fire his shot straight at Robert Douglas. Straight after this attack Celtic broke on the counter with Henrik Larsson putting Didier Agathe through on the right but his cross was too high for Chris Sutton. Larsson had a chance to make it 1-0 on 35 minutes, but he was unable to get enough contact on the ball. Porto came close on 41 minutes when Deco moved past Bobo Balde to go one on one with Robert Douglas, who saved Deco's shot with his legs. Porto finally found a way through on 45 minutes when, after some great work from Deco, Derlei followed up Dmitri Alenichev's shot which was saved by Robert Douglas, to give Porto a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half time. It was his 11th goal of the competition.
Porto's lead did not last long after the restart as Celtic equalised when Henrik Larsson met Didier Agathe's cross to send a looping header in over the helpless Vítor Baía to get his tenth goal of the tournament and his 200th Celtic goal. However within 5 minutes it was 2-1 when Deco's through ball found Dmitri Alenichev who finished. Three minutes later Celtic equalised once again through Henrik Larsson when he headed in Alan Thompson's corner. After this the game stagnated until a couple of minutes from time when Jackie McNamara's errant pass found Dmitri Alenichev, however he shot over.
Normal time ended with the game at 2-2, and extra time saw cagey football from both sides. Celtic were down to ten men when Bobo Balde was dismissed on 96 minutes after collecting his second yellow card. However they could not hold for long, as on 112 minutes Derlei reacted quickest to a Robert Douglas block and rounded McNamara to make it 3-2. Porto managed to hang on even after having Nuno Valente sent off, thus ensuring that Porto had ended their 16 year wait for European glory.
[edit] Match details
[edit] See also
Celtic
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