Quick Read
- FC Porto defeated Rangers 3-1 in the UEFA Europa League on January 29, 2026, securing automatic qualification for the Last 16.
- Goals for Porto came from Rodrigo Mora, Francisco Moura, and an own goal by Emmanuel Fernandez after falling behind early.
- On January 28, FC Porto announced a strategic partnership with MLS club FC Cincinnati.
- The partnership focuses on talent development, scouting, and commercial opportunities, including plans to open a US soccer academy.
- FC Porto currently holds the top position in the 2025-26 Primeira Liga with a seven-point lead.
PORTO (Azat TV) – FC Porto demonstrated its formidable capabilities both on and off the pitch this week, securing a crucial 3-1 victory over Rangers in the UEFA Europa League to advance directly to the Last 16, while simultaneously announcing a landmark strategic partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) club FC Cincinnati. These developments, unfolding on January 29 and 28, 2026, respectively, underscore the Portuguese giants’ ambition to solidify their European standing and significantly expand their global footprint, particularly into the North American market.
The decisive win against Rangers cemented Porto’s position among the top eight in the Europa League standings, granting them automatic progression and bypassing the knockout play-off round. This on-field success was complemented by a strategic move designed to bolster their long-term growth and brand presence across the Atlantic.
Decisive European Performance Secures Porto’s Progress
In a thrilling UEFA Europa League league phase match on Thursday, January 29, FC Porto overcame an early deficit to defeat already-eliminated Rangers 3-1 at home. The victory was pivotal, ensuring their direct passage to the competition’s Last 16.
Rangers initially took a surprising lead in the sixth minute through Djeidi Gassama, following a well-placed header from a Findlay Curtis delivery. However, Porto quickly regrouped, displaying the resilience that has characterized their season. Young star Rodrigo Mora, 19, equalized in the 27th minute, tapping home from close range. Just minutes later, Francisco Moura put Porto ahead, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up between Rangers’ captain James Tavernier and goalkeeper Jack Butland.
The Portuguese side extended their lead just before half-time with an unfortunate own goal from Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez in the 41st minute, capping off a dominant 14-minute spell where Porto scored three times. TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist described the Rangers’ defending as “Keystone Cops stuff” during this period. Despite Rangers manager Danny Rohl’s acknowledgment of the challenge posed by Porto’s form, the Scottish side could not recover from the first-half onslaught. Porto’s 21-year-old striker Samu Aghehowa, who has netted 20 goals across all competitions this season, was a constant threat, even if he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself in this encounter.
Strategic Alliance Across the Atlantic for FC Porto
Just a day prior to their European triumph, on Wednesday, January 28, FC Porto officially launched a strategic partnership with MLS club FC Cincinnati. The agreement, signed at the FC Porto museum at Estádio do Dragão in Portugal, marks a significant step in both clubs’ efforts to expand their sporting operations and global brands, as reported by The Herald News.
The collaboration is multifaceted, focusing on critical areas such as talent development, technical structures, and scouting. It also includes the sharing of best practices in innovation, technology, data analysis, and sports medicine. FC Porto President André Villas-Boas emphasized that the protocol involved “not only player development, but also scouting and the commercial strategies that may emerge because of this new relationship.”
A key component of this partnership is FC Porto’s stated intention to explore commercial opportunities within the North American market and to establish its first soccer academy in the United States. FC Cincinnati President and Co-CEO Jeff Berding expressed enthusiasm for the alliance, highlighting his club’s goal “to bring the world to Cincinnati and Cincinnati to the world.” Berding also noted the upcoming change in the MLS calendar in 2027 to align with FIFA’s standard, which he believes will allow MLS clubs to be “more active in the global football market.”
Broader Club Vision and Domestic Strength
These recent developments reflect FC Porto’s comprehensive strategy for sustained success. Beyond their European aspirations and burgeoning international partnerships, the club is also demonstrating formidable domestic strength. As of the announcement of the MLS partnership, FC Porto held the top position in the 2025-26 Primeira Liga, Portugal’s top-flight league, with 55 points from 19 matches. This put them seven points clear of second-place Sporting CP, underscoring their dominance in Portuguese football.
The club’s proactive engagement in international strategic alliances, such as the one with FC Cincinnati, is a clear indicator of its long-term vision to not only maintain its competitive edge but also to cultivate new revenue streams and fan bases globally. This dual focus on immediate sporting achievements and strategic global expansion positions FC Porto as a forward-thinking entity in the modern football landscape.
The simultaneous advancement in a major European competition and the establishment of a significant North American partnership highlight FC Porto’s strategic agility, demonstrating a clear intent to secure both immediate sporting success and long-term institutional growth across multiple continents.