FC Porto advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League with an impressive 5-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Portuguese press criticized the team’s performance under referee István Kovac.

Istvan KovacsPhoto: Joaquin Corchero/LiveMedia/Editorial Shutterstock/Profimedia

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The stage that irritated the Lusitanians took place in the 29th minute, when Sikan equalized the score for Shakhtar (1:1). Assistant Vasile Marinescu raised the flag for offside, the Porto defenders made a stop, but Istvan Kovac allowed the game to continue. Zubkov passed in front of the goal, and Sikan performed a simple formality.

After consulting the VAR system, it was confirmed that the goal was not offside. Manager Sergio Conceicao and substitute Claudio Ramos protested and were shown yellow cards by Kovacs.

The Portuguese publication A Bola gave Istvan Kovac 5 points. Assistant Vasile Marinescu was also criticized.

“The assistant referee rushed, contrary to all signs in such situations, and raised the offside flag, which did not exist, Zubkov left the main position. Central let the game go very well, intervening only at the end of the phase.

The moment ended with Shakhtar’s goal, as perhaps Porto’s defense relaxed after seeing the assistant raise the flag. The lesson will remain forever: the game only stops when the referee blows the whistle or the ball goes out of bounds.” A Bola journalists write.

In the match at the “Dragao” stadium, Kovac was assisted by assistants Vasile Marinescu and Ovidiu Artene. The fourth referee was Marcel Biersan, the Italian Massimiliano Irrati was delegated as the video referee, and Katelin Popa was the assistant video referee.

Champions League, final rating Group H

1. FC Barcelona (goal difference 12-6) 12 points

2. FC Porto (15-8) 12

3. Shakhtior Donetsk (10-12) 9

4. Antwerp (6-17) 3.

The following teams reached the 1/8 finals of the Champions League: Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen, Arsenal London, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Napoli, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Lazio Roma, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Manchester City, RB Leipzig, FC Barcelona and FC Porto.

In the 1/8 finals of the Europa League: Galatasaray, Lens, Braga, Benfica Lisbon, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Milan, Young Boys Bern and Shakhtar Donetsk.