Porto's Yacine Brahimi, front, and Besiktas' Ryan Babel, rear, challenge for the ball during the Champions League Groug G soccer match between Besiktas Istanbul and FC Porto in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
ISTANBUL (AP) - Besiktas came from behind to clinch a place in the Champions League last 16 by drawing with visiting Porto 1-1 on Tuesday.
Porto defender Felipe stunned the boisterous home fans when he scored inside the first half hour, but his Brazilian compatriot Talisca equalized before the break when Cenk Tosun lifted the ball over Felipe and eluded three defenders to set him up for an easy finish.
Ryan Babel went closest earlier on for Besiktas, forcing a save from Jose Sa, who was still preferred to Iker Casillas in the Porto goal. Babel also hit the crossbar in the second half as the home side pushed harder for the winner.
Besiktas won 3-1 in the reverse fixture in Portugal on Sept. 13.
The point is enough for the Istanbul-based side to top Group G, four points more than Porto with one round of group games remaining.
Contesting Porto for second place in the group, Monaco was hosting German debutant Leipzig later Tuesday.
Porto's Ricardo Pereira, left, and Besiktas' Talisca, right, challenge for the ball during the Champions League Groug G soccer match between Besiktas Istanbul and FC Porto in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Besiktas' scorer Talisca, right, and his teammate celebrate their side's first goal during the Champions League Groug G soccer match between Besiktas Istanbul and FC Porto in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Besiktas coach Senol Guenes attends the Champions League Groug G soccer match between Besiktas Istanbul and FC Porto in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Porto coach Sergio Conceicao attends the Champions League Groug G soccer match between Besiktas Istanbul and FC Porto in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press