Islamabad, Aug 4, 2025: In a pre-season clash, Porto vs Atlético Madrid ended with a narrow 1-0 win for the Portuguese side at Estádio do Dragão.
The evening began with a touching tribute to late footballers Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who passed away in a tragic road accident. The 20th minute saw a stadium-wide ovation in honor of Jota’s jersey number.
Legends like Radamel Falcao and Paulo Futre led the ceremonial kick-off, joined by former stars from both clubs. On the field, Atlético looked largely uninspired. Apart from Julián Alvarez’s near-stunner late in the first half, the visitors failed to create real danger. The decisive goal came just before half-time from Victor Froholdt, capping off Porto’s dominance.
New Atlético signings Álex Baena and Matteo Ruggeri were tested early. Baena showed promise, linking well and registering the team’s only shot on target. However, Ruggeri’s defensive lapse led to the Porto goal. The second half saw more fresh faces—Thiago Almada, Dávid Hancko, and Marc Pubill—who brought energy and composure. Almada, in particular, impressed with his agility and creativity.
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Manager Diego Simeone tested a back-three setup, offering positional flexibility, although Clément Lenglet’s inclusion raised concerns. With Rodrigo De Paul absent, the midfield options looked strong, including Gallagher, Llorente, and Baena. Yet Antoine Griezmann’s quiet display sparked debate about his current role at the club.
Porto vs Atlético Madrid ends as a wake-up call ahead of Atleti’s La Liga opener against Espanyol on August 17.
