Antony Evans' brilliant brace proved in vain as Everton Under-23s fell to a 3-2 defeat against Porto in their PL International Cup clash at USM Finch Farm.
David Unsworth's side were looking to build on the 1-1 draw they earned against PSV Eindhoven in their opening group fixture but were undone by their Portuguese opponents, winners of the competition in 2017 and 2018.
Porto's Fabio Vieira opened the scoring with a free-kick in the 10th minute, before Evans brought the Blues level with a wonderful goal nine minutes later.
However, the visitors retook the lead just after the half-hour mark through Rodrigo Mesquita’s powerful drive, before Afonso Sousa doubled their advantage midway through the second half.
Evans scored a thumping free-kick in the 90th minute, but it came too late to make a difference.
Everton had the first chance of the game on seven minutes when defender Ryan Astley swung a deep cross into the box, but Ellis Simms’ towering header went just over the bar.
Porto then responded down the other end in clinical fashion, as Vieira swung in an awkward free-kick from the right which evaded everyone before finding the bottom left corner.
Porto came close again a minute later as Luis Mata forced a good save from Everton stopper Nico Hansen, before Sousa had a shot at goal which was superbly blocked by Astley in the area. The rebound fell to Marius Mouandilmadji, who fired inches wide.
Unsworth’s men fought back from that scare, however, and found themselves level soon after. Simms won the ball high up the field and laid it back to Evans, who composed himself before curling a delightful effort into the top right-hand corner of the Porto goal.
Everton then thought they had taken the lead through that same combination - albeit with their roles reversed - as Evans saw an effort from the edge of the box parried, before Simms tapped home from an offside position.
Instead, Porto went in front again as Mesquita fired home from the edge of the box after Astley had brilliantly denied Mouandilmadji on the line.
Simms had a first opportunity to stretch his legs early in the second half as he turned superbly near half-way and left Diego Landis in his wake. The big front man ran out of steam as he entered the area, however, and was swarmed by Porto bodies.
Porto eventually doubled their lead as a mix-up at the back for Everton left Sousa free to finish clinically into the Hansen’s net in the 68th minute.
Harry Charsley attempted to launch a comeback a few moments later after being freed down the right, but he dragged his shot wide of the left-hand upright.
And though Everton's never-say-die spirit was rewarded in the 90th minute when Evans netted a peach of a free-kick from 20 yards out, the young Blues couldn't deny Porto their win.
