The wait is over, and Martín Anselmi has officially taken charge of Porto with a crucial victory in his first match at the helm. The Argentine coach, who arrived in Portugal after a controversial departure from Cruz Azul, led his team to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final round of the Europa League group stage.

A well-placed header from Nico González in the second half was enough to secure the three points, ensuring Porto’s place in the playoff round. The match, played in Belgrade due to security concerns in Israel, was tense until the final whistle, with the Portuguese side needing a win to keep their European hopes alive.

VAR Drama in the Final Minutes

Despite Porto controlling possession for most of the game, they struggled to break through Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defensive setup. The breakthrough finally came around the 60th minute, when González found the net with a precise header. However, the closing moments were anything but comfortable for Anselmi’s side.

At the 88th minute, the Israeli club seemed to have equalized after a chaotic sequence inside the box, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review for offside. This late scare could have drastically altered Porto’s European fate, but the disallowed goal allowed them to secure their first win under their new manager.

Anselmi’s Immediate Impact

While it’s too early to judge Anselmi’s influence on the team, his debut victory is an important step in stabilizing a squad that had gone five games without a win. The Argentine coach, known for his tactical discipline, will now turn his focus to domestic competition, with Porto set to face Rio Ave in the Primeira Liga on February 3.

With Porto sitting third in the league and trailing Sporting CP by six points, the next few fixtures will be key in determining whether Anselmi can replicate the success he had in Mexico. For now, his first challenge in European football has been successfully met.