WATCH: “Pray for him” – Arsenal fans mock Porto FC player for HORRENDOUS ‘foul simulation’ in Champions League

As far as play acting and simulation goes, Francisco Conceicao's 'dive' belongs at the very top.

WATCH: “Pray for him” – Arsenal fans mock Porto FC player for HORRENDOUS ‘foul simulation’ in Champions League

Francisco Conceicao's dive raised a lot of eyebrows on social media (Via X/@eurofootcom & Football__Tweet)

Arsenal vs Porto in the Champions League was undoubtedly the most intense from start to finish. From Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa‘s ‘challenge’ ahead of the game to their late winner and fans’ charged reactions, the game had it all. While Galeno netted a screamer to earn the home side a narrow win, Arsenal fans noticed an opportunity to get back at their ‘unruly’ opposition.

A Porto player’s ‘horrendous’ effort to simulate a foul was noticed by fans on social media. Porto’s Francisco Conceicao made a ‘poor’ effort to pick up a foul as he simulated being tripped by the opposition. A slow motion replay revealed the futility of his attempt to do so, as fans pointed out that there was little to zero contact. The player, who tried to roll the ball to his side, failed to make contact, and comically fell to his side.

YouTube video

Conceicao, who was already off balance, attempted to salvage a free-kick for his side. However, his manner of doing so amused many. Mid-fall, the player pulled his legs up and tried to make it out that he was tripped by Kai Havertz.

FS Video

To add to the comicality of the attempt, he shook his head after falling to the ground, as if to recover from the ‘collision’.

Fans laugh at Conceicao as attempt to simulate foul goes unnoticed

In the day and age of VAR, fans would expect players to refrain from simulating fouls, that too when there is zero contact! Francisco Conceicao certainly felt otherwise, as the #10 gave it his all. Fans reacted to the same, with one fan saying that he was kicked by a ghost. Others said that the #10 was the most ‘annoying’ member of the opposition and that he made a fool out of himself doing so.

Porto FC Players
Porto players had the last laugh against Arsenal (Via X/@FCPorto)

Others were in disbelief as to how the referee could whistle for a foul and even show yellow to Kai Havertz for the same. There were a few who argued that he had hurt himself but Havertz seeing yellow was beyond their comprehension. Some mocked him by asking fans to pray for him to recover from the ‘foul’. Porto fans responded the only way possible, by spamming Galeno’s goal and asking them who had the last laugh.

Confident Arsenal supporters said that even though Porto managed to win the first leg, they would batter them at the Emirates. Arsenal are yet to score a knockout goal in the UEFA Champions League for the last nine years, and fans are hoping for things to change in the second leg. The Gunners are in splendid form this season, and an early exit in the Champions League will be a low blow to their season.

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