FC Porto 0 : 0 Zenit St.Petersburg - Malafeev stars for Russians

Posted Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by PA

Zenit St Petersburg goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev was the hero as the Russian club secured their first appearance in the last 16 of the Champions League after they held Porto to a goalless draw in a make-or-break Group G clash at Estadio do Dragao.

Porto dominated the first half but their inability to score saw them crash out of the competition as the busy Malafeev kept his side in the competition with a string of saves.

Porto needed a win to seal their progression to the knockout stages while visitors Zenit only needed a point to finish second in the group behind surprise package APOEL Nicosia and claim the prized place alongside Europe's elite for the first time.

The Portuguese side's failure to qualify means they miss out on reaching the last 16 for the first time since 2005/06, and will now have to content themselves with a place in the Europa League.

Djalma Campos almost set the home side on their way to a flying start in the sixth minute when his 18-yard strike was parried by Malafeev before Francisco Fernando tested the goalkeeper again minutes later when his header was coolly saved.

Malafeev denied Porto again when he tipped James Rodriguez's 20-yard strike round the post in the 14th minute.

The hosts continued to pepper the visitors' goal as the half wore on, Roque Maicon the next to try his luck from 25 yards but it went wide of the goal, before striker Hulk forced another save from the rock-solid Malafeev from a long-range free-kick.

Hulk was again denied by Malafeev with three minutes remaining in the first half before Zenit finally tested the home side's defence with two Danko Lazovic corners, both cleared to safety.

After the break, Porto began to look desperate as Hulk missed a close-range attempt before Rodriguez fired a shot past the right-hand post.

Porto's Alvaro Pereira and Campos then both missed chances as the the clock ticked down before Zenit defender Aleksandr Aniukov blasted a chance over the bar with around 20 minutes left on the clock.

Rodriguez went close for the home side in the 79th minute when his strike forced Malafeev to punch clear as the Zenit defence continued to hold firm.

Hulk then missed two more chances, firing wide from 25 yards before he blasting over with five minutes remaining as Porto's hopes of qualifying finally ended.