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Falcao treble rocks Rapid |
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Porto striker Falcao scored a hat-trick, including two in the last five minutes, as Porto ended Rapid Vienna's hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 3-1 win at Ernst Happel Stadion.
The hosts took the lead through Christopher Trimmel's 39th-minute effort, but the Colombian striker levelled just two minutes later.
The game appeared to be heading for a draw before Falcao struck in the 86th minute and again two minutes later to end Rapid's participation - although Besiktas' win over CSKA Sofia meant even a win would have been in vain.
The result also confirmed Porto as Group L winners.
The Portuguese side suffered an early blow when Fredy Guarin picked up an injury and was replaced by Fernando.
And it almost got worse when Rene Gartler headed Christoph Saurer's cross goalwards, but Helton tipped the ball over the bar.
Porto were presented with a chance after 21 minutes when Saurer fouled Guarin 25 yards from goal, but Hulk's free-kick was easy for Raimund Hedl.
Again Saurer fouled Guarin, and this time Hedl was troubled as Falcao headed Joao Moutinho's set-piece towards goal, the keeper parrying the ball clear.
Hulk tried his luck on the half-hour mark but found the route to goal blocked by Ragnvald Soma.
At the other end, Saurer latched onto Christopher Drazan's cross but Rolando was on hand to block.
The opening goal arrived soon after, though, as Drazan crossed from the left and Trimmel finished low past Helton.
Porto immediately went for an equaliser and came close when Silvestre Varela fired wide from close range.
But they did not have to wait long as straight from Hedl's goal-kick Falcao pounced to level things going into half-time.
Hedl held onto Hulk's shot shortly after the restart, before Rene Gartler headed Saurer's free-kick wide for Rapid after Guarin had fouled Tanju Kayhan.
But in the main chances were few and far between in the second period and when substitute Fernando Belluschi did get an opening 12 minutes before the end from Moutinho's corner, he volleyed over.
So it was something of a surprise when Porto took the lead.
It came from Guarin's free-kick after Markus Heikkinen fouled Hulk, with the ball finding Falcao to finish from close range.
And the Colombian completed his hat-trick two minutes later, pouncing on the loose ball after Hedl fumbled Hulk's 20-yard strike.
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