Devyne Rensch scored an own goal on his Europa League debut for AS Roma. The right-back joked about it on social media, while his coach Claudio Ranieri was furious about conceding that goal in the match against FC Porto.
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Roma and Porto faced off on Thursday night in a high-stakes battle for a place in the last sixteen of the Europa League, delivering a thrilling match full of drama, spectacular goals, and intense moments at the Stadio Olimpico.
The two sides had already locked horns in the first leg in Portugal, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Estádio do Dragão, meaning everything was still up for grabs as they headed into this decisive return leg in Rome.
Porto, determined to cause an upset on enemy soil, came out with an aggressive and fearless approach, showing their attacking intent early in the game. The visitors were rewarded for their positive start when Samu Omorodion produced a breathtaking overhead kick in the 16th minute, a moment of individual brilliance that stunned the home crowd. The young forward found himself in the right place at the right time, reacting instinctively to a lofted ball inside the box. Without hesitation, he launched himself into the air and executed a perfectly timed bicycle kick, leaving Roma’s goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, with no chance as the ball rocketed into the net.
The goal put Porto ahead and forced Roma to respond. For the next ten minutes, the Italian side struggled to regain control, as Porto continued pressing high and looked dangerous in transition. However, when the pressure was at its peak, Paulo Dybala stepped up to change the course of the game.
The Argentine magician, La Joya, showcased his world-class ability by orchestrating an incredible turnaround within four minutes. His first goal, in the 27th minute, was the product of an excellent combination with Lorenzo Pellegrini, exchanging quick one-touch passes to slice through the Porto defense. As he received the ball inside the box, Dybala produced a trademark finish, curling the ball into the far corner with pinpoint accuracy, leaving Porto’s goalkeeper stranded.
Just four minutes later, Dybala struck again, this time creating the chance himself. Picking up the ball near the edge of the area, he played another slick one-two with Romelu Lukaku, ghosted past his marker, and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner. The Olimpico erupted as Roma turned the game on its head, and with the score at 2-1, momentum had firmly shifted in favor of the home side.
Porto, visibly rattled by the sudden collapse, tried to regain composure, but Roma kept pushing forward, sensing an opportunity to put the tie to bed. In the 52nd minute, the home team extended their lead to 3-1, with Lukaku getting his name on the scoresheet. The Belgian striker used his strength to outmuscle his defender inside the box, took a sharp touch to create space, and smashed the ball into the back of the net. The two-goal cushion seemingly put Roma in complete control, and for a large portion of the second half, they managed the game effectively, denying Porto space to create chances.
However, Porto, a club known for their fighting spirit in European competitions, refused to go down without a fight. As the game approached stoppage time, the visitors began committing more bodies forward in a desperate attempt to claw their way back into the match. Roma, who had looked solid for most of the second half, suddenly found themselves under pressure, and in the 95th minute, they were punished by an unfortunate moment of miscommunication in defense.
Devyne Rensch, who had come on as a late substitute to help see out the game, endured a nightmare debut for the club. As Porto launched a hopeful long ball forward, Rensch attempted to clear the danger with a header, but his clearance lacked distance and fell straight to Gonçalo Borges. The Porto winger immediately drove towards the byline, gliding past former PSV and NAC Breda left-back Angeliño, before drilling a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. Rensch, realizing that Danny Namaso was lurking behind him, lunged in to intercept but accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, giving Porto a lifeline at 3-2.
The goal set up a frantic finish, with Porto throwing everything forward in search of a last-gasp equalizer that would force extra time. The final moments saw Roma pinned deep in their half, desperately trying to hold on as Porto launched a series of crosses into the box. In the 98th minute, Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar made a crucial save, tipping a powerful shot over the bar to deny Porto the equalizer. The final whistle blew seconds later, confirming Roma’s place in the Round of 16.
Despite the own goal drama, Rensch took the moment in stride, showing a sense of humor about the unfortunate incident. Shortly after the match, he posted a lighthearted reaction on Instagram, writing: "Round of 16 secured! My next goal will be at the right end." He ended the message with a winking emoji, demonstrating his ability to laugh off the situation despite the awkward nature of his debut.
For Roma, this hard-fought victory is another step forward in their Europa League journey. Under Claudio Ranieri, the team continues to build confidence and momentum, showing glimpses of their ability to compete for silverware. However, the defensive lapse in stoppage time serves as a warning that there is still work to be done, especially when it comes to closing out games in high-pressure situations.
As for Porto, they leave the competition with frustration but also pride. Having played with courage and attacking intent, they were just one goal away from forcing extra time. Their early dominance and late push showed that they can compete at the highest level, but ultimately, Dybala’s brilliance and Roma’s clinical finishing proved too much to overcome.
With Roma advancing to the next round, attention now turns to who they will face next, as the competition intensifies. Meanwhile, Porto must regroup and shift focus to their domestic campaign, hoping to use the experience gained in Europe as motivation for the challenges ahead.
Updated: 05:11, 21 Feb 2025
