Porto have booked their place in the Champions League final after claiming a 1-0 victory over Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, in a tense match at the Riazor.
Brazilian striker Derlei got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Deportivo defender Cesar Martin had brought down Portuguese international Deco.
After a dull goalless draw in the first leg in Portugal two weeks ago, the second leg started in similar fashion with both teams seemingly unwilling to commit too many men forward.
Deportivo midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron had the best chance of a dull first 45 minutes, but he conspired to drag his shot wide from eight metres with the goal gaping. Ribeiro Maniche came close for the visitors, but neither side could break the deadlock.
Things improved after the break as Porto took control of affairs early on and forced the home side onto the back foot. A teasing cross from Deco was met by the head of Derlei, but the Brazlian stiker's effort came back off the post.
However Porto were not to be denied and when Cesar rashly brought down Deco just inside the Deportivo penalty area, Derlei stepped up and blasted the resulting spot kick low and too the left, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jose Molina.
Things went from bad to worse minutes later for the Spanish side when defender Noureddine Naybet was sent off for a second yellow card 20 minutes from time.
Deportivo briefly threatened with the two headers from Pandiani and Cesar and Valeron went close with a long-range free kick, but they never looked like scoring the two goals they needed to progress and Porto saw out the rest of the match comfortably.
Filed by Rob Wright
