Bayern Munich produced a stunning display at the Allianz Arena to thrash Porto 6-1 in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Heading into the match trailing Porto 3-1, goals from Thiago Alcantara, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and a brace from Robert Lewandowski overturned the deficit and earned Bayern a 5-0 lead at the half-time interval.
Jackson Martinez managed to reduce the deficit by heading home from close range in the second half, but Xabi Alonso completed a 7-4 aggregate success with a 25-yard free kick moments after Ivan Marcano had been sent off for a second bookable offence.
Below, Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from a dramatic night in Bavaria.
Match statistics
BAYERN
Shots: 21
On target: 10
Possession: 55%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 19
PORTO
Shots: 3
On target: 1
Possession: 45%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 19
Was the result fair?
Bayern absolutely deserved to win the match, and not even the most loyal of Porto supporters would argue that the scoreline did not reflect the balance of the game. From the first whistle, Bayern were the quicker of the two sides to everything and Porto simply could not match their intensity in any area of the pitch. They showed a clinical edge which was lacking from their play a week ago, and their eagerness to play as high up the pitch as possible piled pressure on the Porto defence, who were never able to earn breathing space. In truth, the match and the tie was over at the half-time interval, and not even a second-half improvement from the visitors could cause concern for Bayern, who were back to their best in Bavaria.
Bayern Munich's performance
In the last round Bayern recovered from a sluggish display in Ukraine to thrash Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in the return fixture, and it was a similar display from Pep Guardiola's side as they clicked into fifth gear as soon as the first whistle was blown. Less than a week ago, it couldn't have been more different. Bayern were nervy at the back, outfought in midfield and ineffective in attack, but Guardiola got the best out of every player in a performance which truly reflects the quality of this team.
Although many were expecting a 4-3-3 formation, Philipp Lahm and Mario Gotze stuck to the wings in the first half to make the pitch as wide as possible, and the home side were often sticking to a shape similar to 4-4-2. The confidence shown by the defence to push high up cramped Porto's midfielders for space and brought Bayern's creative players into the game. Despite his advancing years, Alonso produced an energetic performance to hurry his opponents in possession and win the ball in promising areas for the hosts. His display allowed Thiago to roam into different positions, and it was his ability to link up with Lewandowski and Muller which caused so many problems for a vulnerable Porto defence. Guardiola, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, will find it difficult to find much wrong with this display.
Porto's performance
Julen Lopetegui warned his side against complacency after their brilliant display in the first leg, but not even he would have expected the onslaught which came at the visiting defence in the opening 45 minutes. Bayern just kept attacking throughout the first half, and Porto could not find a way to relieve the pressure. A defence which performed so impressively in Portugal missed the quality of suspended duo Alex Sandro and Danilo as the away side struggled to track Bayern's roaming attackers.
In truth, the midfield could hardly be blamed for the chances which appeared to be created with apparent ease by the Bayern forwards. Hector Herrera put in an impressive shift, but without a link to Martinez and the wingers, he struggled to bridge the gap between midfield and attack. Casemiro, arguably the star of last week's win, was often dragged away from his job of protecting the central defenders and that opened up space for Thiago to deliver the goods on a regular basis. There was certainly an improvement in the second half, but it was too little, too late. Bayern were comfortable, even after Martinez pulled a goal back and Porto were searching for answers after the tie had already been decided.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Thiago Alcantara: Injuries have disrupted the midfielder's time at the Allianz Arena, but Thiago's performance proved why Guardiola has so much faith in his ability. Not only was he willing to work hard off the ball, the Spain international drifted into space out wide and showed an eagerness to get beyond the front two. Porto could not stop him from having an impact all over the pitch and he added a fine headed goal to an excellent performance.
Biggest gaffe
Marcano was given a torrid time by Lewandowski and Muller on his return to the Porto defence, and it was made even worse when he picked up a second yellow card late on. The impressive Thiago tricked him with a step-over, but the challenge which followed was silly. Alonso had curled home the free kick before Marcano had even reached the showers.
Referee performance
Martin Atkinson did a fine job of allowing the game to flow, and that added to the entertainment at the Allianz Arena. However, he probably should have shown Holger Badstuber the red card when the defender left the ground with both feet to challenge Yacine Brahimi.
What next?
Bayern: Guardiola's side will clinch the Bundesliga title if they beat Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg fail to win against Borussia Monchengladbach a day later.
Porto: A meeting with leaders Benfica on Sunday could decide whether Lopetegui's side recover from Champions League disappointment to triumph in the league.
Callum Mulvihill
