Braga's shot count rose, but their chances barely moved

SC Braga took 18 shots and still lost to GIL Vicente, who had fewer efforts but better chances in a 2-1 win at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

Eighteen shots is a lot for SC Braga at home. Their usual count is 11.86 a match, so this was well above normal. Yet the extra shooting did not bring a matching rise in chances, and GIL Vicente left the Estádio Municipal de Braga with a 2-1 win.

A useful way to judge chances is expected goals, or xG, which adds up how likely each shot was to go in based on where it was taken from. Braga's total was 1.06, against a usual home figure of 0.93. Their possession was ordinary by comparison: they had 60% of the ball, close to their usual 58.14 per cent at home.

GIL Vicente had only 10 shots, well under their away average of 13.57. Their expected goals still reached 1.54, above the 1.2 they usually produce on their travels. Only five of their efforts came from inside the box, but four of their shots were on target, which is the kind of return that makes a small number of chances count.

Pau Victor opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, a goal confirmed after a VAR check, and he finished the match with a rating of 7.6. Walace, who came on at half-time, struck in the 49th minute with a 8.2 rating, the highest in the lineups we have for this game. Lucão made five saves for GIL Vicente and was rated 7.67.

The goals came to three in total, a touch above the league average of 2.75 per match. Braga conceded two, which is above their usual home figure, while GIL Vicente scored twice away, more than their usual away scoring. A 72nd-minute own goal by Diogo Martins Travassos settled the result in GIL Vicente's favour.

In the last six matches Braga have taken two wins, a draw and three defeats, while GIL Vicente's recent run includes two wins, two draws and two defeats. Braga had three yellow cards and GIL Vicente had three as well, and Braga committed 13 fouls against nine from their visitors.

After eight matches each, the table has GIL Vicente sixth on 14 points and Braga ninth on 11. Braga's 11 points came from three wins, two draws and three defeats, while GIL Vicente's 14 came from four wins, two draws and two defeats.

Player of the matchWalace1 goal8.2

Ricardo Esgaio3 chances created7.7

Lucão5 saves7.7

Pau Victor1 goal7.6