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With Bayern Munich needing to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit, by most pundits accounts they were up against it.
But within 45 minutes Pep Guardiola's side had annihilated Porto, scoring five goals before the break. Thiago Alcantara, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and a Robert Lewandowski double were scored in a devastating 22 minute spell at the Allianz Arena.
Incredibly it was the third time Bayern Munich had scored five in a half in a Champions League match this season, although the other two came in the second periods, against Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Here, we take a look at some other stats from an insane first half in Munich...
Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratingsShow all 6 1 /6Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings BAYERN MUNICH DEFENCE Manuel Neuer Did not have one single thing to do except pick the ball out of his net. 6 Rafinha There have always been question marks over his defensive ability but he is an absolute terror on the front foot. Always willing to overlap, Porto didn’t know what to do with him. 7 Jermoe Boateng Spent more time in the opposition half than his own and popped up with the important second goal. Wasn’t tested until the last 20 minutes and he looked shaky under Martinez’s threat. A shame Porto were not braver. 6 Holger Badstuber Only his 15th game of season, Badstuber didn’t have anything to do for more than an hour and then suddenly looked rattled by the powerful Martinez. 5 Juan Bernat Pretty much a winger masquerading as a full back, Bernat is lightning quick and possesses a wicked cross. He was so good in the opening half hour that the man defending him was taken off. 8
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Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELD Philipp Lahm He was one of the best full backs in the world and now he’s one of the best defensive midfielders. Reads the game as well as any other player, he’s always in the right place and always making the right choice. 8 Xabi Alonso (pictured) This was vintage stuff from the supreme Spaniard, who kept Bayern on the front foot with his range of passing and ability to win the ball back - Porto probably should’ve done a bit more to stop him. Scored late on with a perfectly measured free-kick. 9 Thiago Alcantara Provides the energy and legs that his two midfield partners can no longer produce, the former Barcelona man scored a brilliantly brave header to open the scoring, whilst his passing was always on cue. 8 Mario Gotze Didn’t shine as brightly as his team-mates but always dangerous and always able to find pockets of space in between the Porto lines. Probably annoyed he didn’t get a goal. 7
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Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings BAYERN MUNICH ATTACK Thomas Muller (pictured left) His goal was a combination of luck and dreadful goalkeeping but make no mistake, Muller was the best player on the pitch. Provided the assist to both of Lewandowski’s goals and was a general menace as he roamed the pitch unmarked. 9 Robert Lewandowski (pictured centre) A perfect performance from a lone striker, the Pole was brilliant at bringing his team-mates into play and provided perfect finishes to the chances he had. 8
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Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings PORTO DEFENCE Fabiano (pictured) A night to forget for the Brazilian goalkeeper, who could have done better with at least two of the goals – the Boateng header and Muller’s long-range effort. 4 Diego Reyes With Danilo (who will join Real Madrid in the summer) missing, the 22-year-old started his first game in the Champions League. One of the worst performances in recent memory, the Mexican was taken off after just 32 minutes. 1 Maicon Unlike a lot of his team-mates actually appeared to give some effort but was all over the place defensively. Couldn’t get close to Lewandowski. 4 Ivan Marcano Terrible performance from Marcano, the defender was like a rabbit caught in the headlights as Bayern poured forwards and was sent off late on after picking up two yellow cards. 2 Bruno Martins Indi Never knew whether to stick to his position at left-back or follow the brilliant Muller has he roamed around the pitch. In the end Muller exploited the big Dutch defender. 3
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Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings PORTO MIDFIELD Casemiro (pictured) Has quality when in possession but didn’t get close to the Bayern midfielder’s failing to put any pressure on them. 4 Oliver Torres Read Casemiro. 4 Hector Herrera Tried a little bit harder than his team-mates to close the opposition but was overwhelmed by Bayern’s quality. 4
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Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 player ratings PORTO ATTACK Ricardo Quaresma Last week’s hero didn’t have a touch in the first-half, failed to protect his full back and his only moment of note was when he scuffled with Bernat. Taken off at half-time. 2 Yacine Brahimi Like Quaresma the Algerian was played so deep that he never got a chance to show what he is all about – pace and dribbling. Looked lost trying to play in a tight, defensive formation. 3 Jackson Martinez (pictured) It’s a shame that Porto only bothered to show any attacking intent in the last 20 minutes. Martinez is a real handful and he could’ve done serious damage to Bayern’s weak defensive pairing. Got a goal and had a couple of good moments but was utterly alone. 5
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Bayern may have had hopes of beating the record for the largest margin of victory in the knock-out stage in the current Champions League format, which stands at 7–0, achieved by Bayern Munich against Basel in the 2011/12 campaign and then against Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this season.
However they could only add one more as the match ended 6-1.
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