Vintage Porto back in frame after Hamburg demolition

FC Porto's Italian forward Lisandro Lopez celebrates after scoring the opening goal against SV Hamburg during their Champions League group G clash in Porto. The Portuguese won 4-1.

FC Porto reignited their hopes of making the knockout stage of the Champions League with a convincing 4-1 group G win over struggling German side SV Hamburg.

It was a first group win for the Portuguese giants, who won this competition in 2004, and it keeps them in contention with Arsenal, two points ahead, and CSKA Moscow, who are three points better off after defeating the English side 1-0 on Tuesday.

Argentine international forward Lisandro Lopez scored Porto's first Champions League goal of the campaign after just 14 minutes and Lucho Gonzalez converted a penalty on the chime of half-time.

Portuguese international Helder Postiga scored a third on 69 minutes and Lopez grabbed his second late on to complete a comprehensive victory.

The loss means Hamburg, playing in the competition for the first time since 2001, have no points from their first three matches and need a miracle to qualify.

The German club, third in the Bundesliga last season, are not doing much better on the domestic front lying third from bottom of the table without a win to their name.

FC Porto's striker Helder Postiga heads the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Porto vs Hamburger SV at Dragao stadium in Porto. Porto won 4-1.

"I cannot find the words to describe the disappointment at how we played tonight," said German international Piotr Trochowski. "We shot ourselves in the foot. We have to start playing better and cut out the stupid mistakes."

Right from the off Hamburg were second best with Postiga spurning a good chance after just 55 seconds.

It was a warning that went unheeded with the Portuguese hosts going in front after just 14 minutes.

A stray pass from Collin Benjamin put Porto on the attack and they pounced on the error with Brazilian Anderson sliding the ball across the face of goal for Lopez to roll into an empty net.

Porto's second goal almost arrived a minute later when Postiga produced a neat turn in the penalty area and only a fine save from Sascha Kirchstein prevented Hamburg from going two goals down.

Hamburger SV's Argentinian defender Juan Pablo Sorin (R) vies with FC Porto's midfielder Raul Meireles during their Champions League group G clash in Porto. The Portuguese won 4-1.

Hamburg looked to have equalised in the 36th minute but the goal was scratched off with Danijel Ljuboja blown up for a foul.

Serbia and Montenegro international Ljuboja was then the villain at the other end with a foolish handball in the penalty area close to half-time.

For some reason Ljuboja left his arm fully outstretched at the backpost and the ball hit his hand and the referee whistled up for a penalty. Ljuboja's only saving grace was that he was not sent off for the offence as he was already carrying a yellow card.

"It is a tough time for us at the moment and it really hurts," said Hamburg coach Thomas Doll. "We are getting punished for lapses in concentration but that is what happens at this level."

Gonzalez converted the spot-kick on the stroke of half-time to effectively wrap up the points.

Porto looked a class above in the second half with their slick passing and movement too much for Hamburg.

Postiga capped a fine game with a diving header on 69 minutes to make it 3-0 and Lopez added his second to leave Hamburg players praying for the final whistle.