Did it deliver?
The 65-rated billing was met by the scoreline, with four goals and a red card, though the contest was only really in the balance until Veiga's 71st-minute strike. It was a lively first half and a one-sided finish rather than a classic.
Porto won 4-1 by taking control after the break and punishing Napoli on set pieces and the counter. Bednarek's header from a corner gave them an early lead, McTominay equalised just before the interval with a central strike, and the first half was by far the more eventful. After Napoli had threatened to settle, Veiga broke the deadlock on 71 minutes, finishing a fast break begun by Santiago Gimenez's through ball. Kiwior added a second corner header nine minutes later from substitute Hwang In-beom's delivery. Napoli lost Rafa Marín to a last-man red card on 88 minutes, and Samu Aghehowa converted the resulting penalty. Porto had 19 shots to 11, eight on target to six, and four big chances to two, which reflects a deserved and decisive win. Napoli, with 11 fouls and four first-half yellow cards, never found a way to stop the pressure, and the defeat leaves them with questions about their defensive discipline in Europe.
Porto have lost all three Champions League games and sit 35th with no points, despite a perfect domestic record. Napoli arrive in better European standing but are short of key players after a defeat to Juventus. Both sides badly need a result in a league-phase game with real pressure.
Porto's main goal threat. He can punish a Napoli back line missing several regular defenders.
The midfield anchor must set the tempo and shield the defence against Napoli's runners.
His physical presence and late runs into the box are vital with Napoli's squad stretched.
If fit, his creativity can unlock a Porto side desperate to win. He is listed as doubtful.
Porto
Napoli
Porto•MidfielderAttempt saved. Noa Lang from Napoli has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Samu Aghehowa scores for FC Porto with a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner. The match remains 4-1.
Napoli is awarded a corner after Santiago Giménez concedes.
Rafa Marín from Napoli concedes a penalty for a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty awarded to FC Porto as Samu Aghehowa is fouled in the penalty area.
Rafa MarínRed CardRafa Marín from Napoli receives a red card.
Rafa Marín from Napoli misses a header from the center of the box, sending it to the left. The attempt was assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a cross after a corner.
Napoli win a corner after Jan Bednarek concedes.
Victor Froholdt's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Hwang In-Beom.
Kevin De Bruyne from Napoli wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Hwang In-Beom of FC Porto.
Billy Gilmour from Napoli misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box that goes too high. Rasmus Højlund provided the assist.
Substitution for Napoli: Lorenzo Lucca comes on for Matteo Politano.
assist: In-beom Hwang
Goal! FC Porto leads 3-1 against Napoli. Jakub Kiwior scores for FC Porto with a header from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Hwang In-Beom's cross after a corner.
FC Porto wins a corner after Amir Rrahmani concedes.
Substitution for FC Porto: Hwang In-Beom comes on for Gabri Veiga.
Substitution for FC Porto: Seko Fofana comes on for Pepê.
Substitution for Napoli: Noa Lang comes on for Frank Anguissa.
Substitution for Napoli: Giovane comes on for Antonio Vergara.
Attempt saved. Antonio Vergara from Napoli has a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but Diogo Costa from FC Porto saves it in the top center of the goal. The assist came from Billy Gilmour.
Attempt saved. Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved in the bottom right corner by Alex Meret of Napoli. The shot was assisted by Santiago Giménez.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli commits a foul.
Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto wins a free kick in the defensive half.
assist: Santiago Gimenez
Goal! FC Porto 2, Napoli 1. Gabri Veiga scores for FC Porto with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the center of the goal, assisted by Santiago Giménez with a through ball after a fast break.
Santiago Giménez's left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Alex Meret. The attempt was assisted by Gabri Veiga.
Attempt missed. Pepê from FC Porto takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes to the left. He was assisted by Pablo Rosario.
Substitution for FC Porto: Zaidu Sanusi comes on for Martim Fernandes.
Substitution for FC Porto: Santiago Giménez comes on for Borja Sainz.
Attempt missed. Martim Fernandes from FC Porto heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes just left of the target. Pablo Rosario provided the assist.
Attempt blocked. Alberto Costa from FC Porto has his right-footed shot from the center of the box blocked.
Attempt missed. Jakub Kiwior from FC Porto takes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes to the right.
Gabri Veiga from FC Porto hits the bar with a right-footed shot from outside the box, assisted by Samu Aghehowa.
Borja Sainz from FC Porto has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked. Jan Bednarek provided the assist.
Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto commits a handball.
Borja Sainz of FC Porto is caught offside.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli commits a foul.
Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Scott McTominay from Napoli has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the top center of the goal by Diogo Costa from FC Porto. The assist came from Matteo Politano.
Scott McTominay from Napoli wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Pepê from FC Porto commits a foul.
Jan Bednarek of FC Porto hits the bar with a header from the center of the box. He was assisted by Gabri Veiga, who delivered a cross after a corner.
Substitution for FC Porto: Samu Aghehowa comes on for André Silva.
Attempt missed. Alberto Costa from FC Porto takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the box but misses to the left. Pepê provided the assist.
FC Porto is awarded a corner after Amir Rrahmani concedes.
Scott McTominay is caught offside for Napoli.
Attempt saved. Pablo Rosario of FC Porto has his left-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box saved in the bottom right corner by Alex Meret of Napoli.
Gabri Veiga's right-footed shot from the center of the box is saved by Alex Meret in the center of the goal. The attempt was assisted by André Silva.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Rasmus Højlund from Napoli.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Jan Bednarek from FC Porto.
The second half begins with the match tied at 1-1 between FC Porto and Napoli.
The first half ends with the score at FC Porto 1, Napoli 1.
FC Porto is awarded a corner after Sam Beukema concedes.
Gabri VeigaYellow CardGabri Veiga from FC Porto receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Billy Gilmour from Napoli is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Gabri Veiga commits a foul for FC Porto.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 2 minutes of added time.
Attempt saved. Rasmus Højlund from Napoli has a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it's saved in the center of the goal by Diogo Costa from FC Porto. The assist comes from Kevin De Bruyne.
Matteo Politano's left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Diogo Costa. The attempt was assisted by Frank Anguissa with a headed pass.
assist: Rasmus Højlund
Goal! Scott McTominay scores for Napoli with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the high center of the goal. The match is now 1-1 against FC Porto.
Offside called against Napoli. Antonio Vergara is caught offside.
Offside called against Napoli. Kevin De Bruyne is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Gabri Veiga (FC Porto) takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes close and misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Foul by Scott McTominay of Napoli.
Victor Froholdt of FC Porto wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Scott McTominay Yellow CardScott McTominay of Napoli receives a yellow card for a foul.
Gabri Veiga from FC Porto is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Amir RrahmaniYellow CardAmir Rrahmani of Napoli receives a yellow card for a foul.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli commits a foul.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Gabri Veiga commits a foul for FC Porto.
Borja Sainz commits a foul for FC Porto.
Billy Gilmour from Napoli wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Napoli wins a corner after Alberto Costa concedes.
Rasmus Højlund from Napoli misses a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it to the right. He was assisted by Kevin De Bruyne during a fast break.
Napoli wins a corner after Martim Fernandes concedes.
Billy Gilmour from Napoli wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Pepê of FC Porto.
Foul committed by Scott McTominay of Napoli.
Gabri Veiga from FC Porto wins a free kick in the attacking half.
FC Porto is awarded a corner after Sam Beukema concedes.
André Silva of FC Porto is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli commits a foul.
Foul committed by Jakub Kiwior of FC Porto.
Kevin De Bruyne from Napoli wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Frank Anguissa from Napoli commits a foul.
Frank AnguissaYellow CardFrank Anguissa from Napoli receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Gabri Veiga from FC Porto wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Napoli wins a corner after Alberto Costa concedes.
Amir Rrahmani from Napoli commits a foul.
André Silva from FC Porto wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Gabri Veiga from FC Porto is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Frank Anguissa from Napoli commits a foul.
assist: Gabri Veiga
Goal! FC Porto leads 1-0 against Napoli. Jan Bednarek scores with a header from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Gabri Veiga's cross after a corner.
FC Porto is awarded a corner after Rafa Marín concedes it.
Attempt missed. Borja Sainz from FC Porto has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that goes high and wide to the right after a corner.
FC Porto wins a corner after Sam Beukema concedes.
Rasmus Højlund's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Scott McTominay.
Pepê is caught offside for FC Porto.
Scott McTominay from Napoli misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it too high. Matteo Politano provided the assist with a cross.
Borja Sainz from FC Porto is caught offside.
Jan Bednarek from FC Porto wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Antonio Vergara of Napoli.
Antonio VergaraYellow CardAntonio Vergara of Napoli receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
First half begins.
