The Colombian was on target for the visitors tonight ...
step towards progression to the quarter-finals of the Europa League as they claimed a vital win away against CSKA Moscow.
After being on the backfoot for most of the first half, Andre Villas Boas' men took the lead midway through the second period. The Army Men threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were ultimately unable to get back into the game.
CSKA dictated the play in the first half and most of the action took place in front of Helton. Porto for their part, seemed willing to soak up the pressure and rely on counter-attacks to trouble the hosts' defence.
Vagner Love was presented with the first chance of the game in the ninth minute when Keisuke Honda released the Brazilian in Porto's box, but his finish was poorly placed and did not trouble the goalkeeper.
Honda was at the centre of the action six minutes later as he pounced on a horrible mistake by Nicolas Otamendi and went on a fine run in the box, laying the ball off to Love near the penalty spot. The Brazilian once again lacked the precision and power to put the ball past Helton.
The tempo of the game began to gradually drop, but the match sprung back to life in the 38th minute when Seydou Doumbia had the ball in the net after being picked out by Love only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Freddy Guarin had a thunderous shot from the right side of the box blocked five minutes later after the Colombian managed to break free from the home side's defence as Porto were looking for the go-ahead goal before half-time.
Falcao nearly found the opener moments before the half-time whistle after a wonderful run, but Sergei Ignashevich made a vital interception.
The Army Men started the second half with fire in their bellies, determined to pick up a first leg advantage. Love, however, was the main culprit once again as he comically failed to connect with the ball under no pressure at all after being pick out by Doumbia near the penalty spot.
The hosts continued to press, but Guarin gave Porto the lead in the 70th with a thunderous shot from just outside the box to break CSKA hearts.
The Russians threw everything forward in search of the equaliser, but were superbly stifled by Porto's solid defence and the Dragons will take a one-goal advantage into the second leg in Portugal.