In the second leg of the UEFA Europa League (EL) knockout phase play - off, the match between Roma and Porto was held at the Stadio Olimpico on the 20th. Roma, the home team, won 3 - 2. As a result, Roma, with an aggregate score of 4 - 3 over two matches, advanced to the round of 16.

In the first leg away from home, Roma managed to draw 1 - 1 despite having a player sent off. In the Serie A last weekend, they defeated Parma 1 - 0 and entered the second leg at home in good form. Coach Claudio Ranieri made four changes to the starting lineup for this crucial match. He replaced suspended Zeki Çelik with Stephan El Shaarawy, and also saw the returns of Leonardo Spinazzola, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Paulo Dybala.

Porto, on the other hand, also won 1 - 0 against Farense last weekend. From that game, they made five changes to the starting lineup, bringing back key players such as Samu Chukwueze, João Mário, and Otávio.

The game, like the previous encounter, was a closely - contested battle with emphasis on man - to - man duels and mirror - image play.

In such a situation, Roma, with Dybala, Pellegrini, and Spinazzola making a difference, carried their attacks more effectively towards the finish. Pellegrini and Šommer made close - range header shots inside the box.

Porto, who had been on the defensive, capitalized on an opponent's mistake to create a one - chance opportunity. In the 27th minute, Eustaquio intercepted Roma goalkeeper Rui Patrício's pass mistake near the box. Eustaquio and Fabio Vieira's consecutive shots were blocked by Roma's tenacious defense, but Samu Chukwueze, reacting to the loose ball in the center of the box, controlled the floating ball with his back to the goal and then executed a wonderful bicycle kick into the left corner of the goal.

Roma, now in a chasing position, had their reliable ace come through. In the 35th minute, after receiving the ball between the lines from Manu Kone on the right side of the opponent's half, Dybala passed it to Šommer in the center and then received the return pass on the right side of the box. With a brilliant step - over move, he broke through the congestion and fired a clever left - footed shot past the goalkeeper's shoulder.

Furthermore, the attacking Roma, in the 39th minute, with Dybala pushing forward on the right side and receiving a short pass from Kone on the right side of the box, quickly swerved his left foot and shot into the near post. With a stunning double, he turned the game around in one go. After that, a decisive opportunity that came to Ndicka from a set - piece was blocked by the opponent's physical defense, but Roma went into the break with a one - goal lead.

In the second half, an incident occurred to Porto. In the 51st minute, Eustaquio, irritated after being bumped into by Leandro Paredes in an area unrelated to the ball, impulsively punched him. After an on - field review, it was judged as retaliation, and Eustaquio was shown a red card. Paredes, on the other hand, was shown a yellow card.

Roma, having a lead and a numerical advantage, tried to keep the opponent away from their goal while aiming for the third goal to seal the game. Dybala and Šommer repeatedly took close - range shots, but were blocked by goalkeeper Diogo Costa's excellent defense.

Porto, trying to avoid conceding a third goal and aiming for a one - chance counter - attack, continuously sent attackers like Galeno and Mehdi Taremi onto the pitch. In the 69th minute, Samu Chukwueze, who had completely swapped positions with defender Ndicka, took the ball into the center of the box and shot, but unfortunately hit the right post and missed a great chance to equalize.

After that, with both teams making substitutions, the game entered the final stage with a one - goal difference, but the home team prevailed. In the 83rd minute, from a well - constructed attack, Spinazzola reacted to Dybala's floating pass, took the ball to the left - hand side of the box and pulled it back. Bryan Cristante, who had come on in the middle of the game and rushed into the center, slid and shot into the right corner of the goal.

Roma, who had scored the clinching goal, conceded one goal due to Chris Smalling's own goal in the second - half additional time, but still dominated this top - tier play - off showdown and advanced to the round of 16.