Besiktas into knockout stage for first time with Porto draw
Soccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Besiktas' Cenk Tosun in action with Porto's Ivan Marcano REUTERS/Osman Orsal
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish champions Besiktas reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time as they fought back for a 1-1 draw at home to Porto in their penultimate Group G match on Wednesday.
Besiktas are the first Turkish club ever to finish top of their group after they earned a point with a close-range equaliser by Brazilian Talisca in the 41st minute following a marvellous assist from Cenk Tosun who won the ball in midfield.
The hosts fell behind just before the half-hour when Porto's Felipe netted from a pass by Ricardo who cut the ball back from the byline but they recovered to make history.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Besiktas' Adriano in action with Porto's Ricardo Pereira REUTERS/Murad Sezer
"We’re through to the round of 16 for the first time and for that Besiktas deserve congratulations," said defender Pepe.
"We knew it was going to be hard here against a Porto team who are solid at the back and have players who can catch you off guard in attack. However, we controlled the game well and in the end celebrated qualification in front of our own fans."
Besiktas are top with 11 points from five games, with Porto second on seven ahead of Leipzig. The German side are three points behind the Portuguese before they visit bottom side Monaco, who have two points, later on Wednesday.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Besiktas' Pepe in action with Porto's Maximiliano Pereira REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Porto have a better head-to-head record against Leipzig so Wednesday's draw leaves qualification in their own hands.
(Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Soccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Porto's Yacine Brahimi reacts REUTERS/Murad SezerSoccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Porto's Felipe celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates as Besiktas' Tolgay Arslan looks dejected REUTERS/Murad SezerSoccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Besiktas' Pepe, Adriano, Anderson Talisca and team mates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Osman OrsalSoccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Besiktas' Ricardo Quaresma in action with Porto's Sergio Oliveira REUTERS/Murad SezerSoccer Football - Champions League - Besiktas vs Porto - Vodafone Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - November 21, 2017 Porto's Jose Sa in action REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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