On 25 February 2004, Benni McCarthy scored twice as FC Porto beat Manchester United 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, in the opening European match at Porto’s newly built Estádio do Dragão.
United struck first, with Bafana Bafana midfielder Quinton Fortune pouncing after Porto goalkeeper Vítor Baía could only parry a Paul Scholes effort in the 14th minute.
Porto responded before the half-hour, McCarthy swivelling to volley home Dmitri Alenichev’s cross for the equaliser. He struck again in the 78th minute, rising above two United defenders to head in a long ball from Nuno Valente, sealing a famous night for the home side as Roy Keane saw red late on.
Porto needed a late finish to complete the job in the second leg at Old Trafford, where Tim Howard’s fumble let Francisco Costinha steal a winner in the 89th minute and send Porto through 3-2 on aggregate.
It was the moment that first announced José Mourinho to English football, and Porto went all the way to lift the Champions League that season, beating Monaco 3-0 in the final, with McCarthy finishing as the club’s top scorer across all competitions.
Photo: REUTERS/Nacho Doce
