• Europa League

Unity key to Porto's success - Falcao

Falcao scored the winner for Porto © PA Photos

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Falcao hailed the unity within Porto's squad after his 17th European goal of the season fired the Portuguese champions to Europa League glory in Dublin.

The Colombian striker headed the only goal of the game against fellow Portuguese outfit Braga just before half-time as Andre Villas-Boas' side claimed their third trophy of an incredible season.

Having secured the league title without losing a game, they added the Europa League to their Portuguese Super Cup triumph with the Portuguese Cup final to come on Sunday.

And Falcao, who broke the record for the amount of goals scored in the competition, said Porto had "dreamt about this since the beginning of the season".

"My 17 goals were very satisfying but the most important thing is that we won. The key was the unity of the team," he said.

Villas-Boas, who has become the talk of European football after his imperious season with Porto aged just 33, said although he was pleased to have won, the final hadn't been a true representation of Portuguese football.

"The most important thing is that Porto could add one more trophy to their achievements," said Villas-Boas. "I'm only sad because we could have played better. It wasn't a good show after all. Both teams were not calm. It was not representative of Portuguese foootball. Did we only have one shot at goal? It was the decisive one. We are very happy to won this trophy."

Goalkeeper Helton lifted the trophy on his 33rd birthday and added: "The cup is very heavy. It is a wonderful gift.

"We are very happy for all that we have achieved. I want to dedicate this title to my mother. She underwent surgery this week and for sure she is very happy."

Braga manager Domingos Paciencia, who scored over 100 goals for Porto in his playing career and leaves to coach Sporting Lisbon in the summer, said: "I'm sad, like the players.

"Porto were not as dominant as everyone expected. They scored in the 44th minute after we slipped up. In the second half we tried and it was a pity Mossoro couldn't score."

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