Galeno jubilantly celebrates scoring the first goal in the Champions League Group H match against Shakhtar Donetsk, held at the Dragao Stadium
Galeno's double strike led Porto to a 5-3 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, propelling them into the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday.
Securing second place in Group H, Porto advances behind Barcelona, despite the latter's 3-2 defeat at Antwerp. Shakhtar, finishing third, moves to the Europa League playoffs.
Galeno initiated the scoring in the ninth minute, completing a play at the far post from a pass by his Brazilian teammate Evanilson.
“This team has earned this win with our efforts since the group stage began,” Galeno stated to CNN Portugal. "At Porto, we never aim for a draw, even when it would have sufficed. The coach likened this match to a final, stressing the need for a win. We've achieved our goal.”
Danylo Sikan leveled the score with a close-range goal 20 minutes later. However, Galeno delivered another brilliant strike from just outside the box before the break.
Mehdi Taremi then extended Porto's advantage to 3-1 early in the second half.
Stephen Eustaquio's own goal narrowed Porto's lead, but veteran defender Pepe scored from close range in the 75th minute to make it 4-2, setting a record as the oldest scorer in the Champions League.
Francisco Conceição then capitalized on a Shakhtar error to extend Porto's lead to 5-2, before substitute Eguinaldo added a third for the visitors in the 88th minute.
A draw would have sufficed for Porto's advancement, having defeated the Ukrainian champions 3-1 in the group's opening match in Hamburg in September, where Galeno also netted two goals. Shakhtar has been playing home games in Germany due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Porto, the European champions of 1987 and 2004, reached the round of 16 last year, where they were ousted by the eventual runner-up, Inter Milan.
