FC Porto secured their first league victory of the season against Benfica on Sunday, thanks to Alex Telles' impressive performance in the second half. The Portuguese side dominated the opening period but struggled to find the net until the latter stages.
In the first half, Porto controlled possession and had several chances to break through, but they couldn't capitalize. Benfica's defense was solid, and their goalkeeper, João Moutinho, made some crucial saves to keep the score level at 0-0 after half-time.
However, Porto showed signs of revival in the second half. Telles, who had been on the bench for much of the first half, came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute. He immediately made a significant impact on the game.
Telles scored two goals within 10 minutes of coming on the field. In the 64th minute,Serie A Stadium he delivered a beautiful free-kick that beat Moutinho from distance. This goal put Porto up 1-0 and gave them the confidence to press further.
Two minutes later, Telles doubled his tally when he received the ball in the penalty area and calmly converted the spot kick. This goal sealed Porto's victory and moved them to third place in the table, just one point behind leaders Benfica.
The win was a testament to Telles' skill and determination. Despite starting off the match without any experience in the starting lineup, he quickly adapted to the pressure and made an immediate impact. His performances were not limited to scoring goals; he also provided assists and helped set up other opportunities for his teammates.
Porto's manager, Jorge Jesus, praised Telles for his contribution to the victory. "Alex Telles is a player who has been developing rapidly during the season," Jesus said. "His ability to come on late and make such important contributions is what makes him such a valuable asset to our team."
This result marks a positive start to Porto's season and could potentially give them momentum going forward. With Telles continuing to impress, it's likely that more players will be called upon to step up in future matches.
As for Benfica, they now face a difficult challenge to catch up to Porto in the standings. However, they have a strong squad and will look to bounce back with a strong performance next time out.