Porto’s game against Vitoria descends into CHAOS as a pitch invader runs on and tries to KICK two players – forcing security into action as the referee attempts to calm down shocked stars
- Stunned players watched on as a fan entered the pitch when Porto visited Vitoria
- The backpack-wearing man appeared to try to kick two of the home side’s stars
- Portugal hero Pepe remonstrated with the invader during the Primeira Liga game
- Former Champions League winners Porto won 1-0 to boost their title prospects
Porto’s Primeira Liga match against Vitoria ended in chaotic fashion after a supporter entered the pitch and attempted to kick two players at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques.
Portugal icon Pepe could be seen remonstrating with the man after he entered the pitch and confronted Vitoria captain Rochinha while wearing a backpack.
The fan then attempted to aim a kick at one of Rochinha’s teammates, winger Geny, before being mobbed in an unsavoury conclusion to the showdown.
A fan sparked wild scenes by invading the pitch and confronting players during a Porto match
The man seemed to launch kicks at two players before players and officials descended on him
The Porto defender and three-time Champions League winner held his arms out while both sets of players circled the man and staff dragged him away.
Officials had charged from the benches as security moved in to ground the encroacher during worrying scenes at the end of the eventful game in Guimaraes.
With little more than a three minutes of added time remaining in the second half, referee Joao Pinheiro could be seen signalling to the players to keep calm following the surprising incident.
Commentators voiced concerns at the ease with which the invader appeared to reach the players before being pulled away.
The fan was taken down by security but concerns were raised over how he reached the players
Pinheiro had sent off Vitoria striker Oscar Estupinán in the 81st minute as the hosts lost 1-0 and Porto went a record-breaking 57th match unbeaten in the Portuguese top flight.
Mehdi Taremi scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute, although the Iran forward had a penalty saved by Bruno Varela after the break.
Three players were booked after the 90th minute as part of a flurry of cards in a game containing nine minutes of added time.
The drama carried echoes of Porto’s incendiary clash at home to Sporting Lisbon in February, when Pepe was one of four players – two from either side – sent off in the 101st minute of a 2-2 draw featuring a mass brawl.
Porto won the game by the only goal in Guimaraes and are on course to win the Premeira Liga
Porto’s win at Vitoria leaves them six points clear of Sporting with five games of the league season remaining.
Manager Sergio Conceicao, who looked concerned after the invader was hauled off, told the club’s website: ‘We have five finals ahead of us and nothing is decided yet.
‘We are happy with our path so far but it’s not over yet and the hardest part is still to come, the final stretch.
‘The true champions are those who continue to work and remain focused on [producing] the best moments.’
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