Famalicao won late with more shots but few clear chances

Paulo Moreira's goal in the 90th minute settled a 1-0 win over Arouca, a result that came after a penalty was cancelled by VAR and a side with the poorer chances still left the ground with a point.

Paulo Moreira scored in the 90th minute to give Famalicao a 1-0 win over Arouca at the Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho. Earlier, a penalty for Arouca had been cancelled after a VAR review at the 48th minute, which removed the visitors' best early chance of getting on the scoresheet. The winner came late, and it was the only goal of the match.

Famalicao took 14 shots, well above the 9.1 they average at home this season, and five of them were on target. Possession was 53%, close to the 52.2% they usually keep, so the extra shooting was not a sign of a side running the game. The catch is where the shots came from: nine were from outside the box. Expected goals, a score that rates each chance by how often similar ones go in, gave them 0.71 against a usual 0.62. They had more shots, but not much better ones.

Arouca's numbers are the more striking part. They had 47% of the ball, against an average of 52.4% on the road, and managed six shots where they usually take 10.8. Only one of those came from inside the box. Their expected goals of 0.22 sits a long way below the 1.00 they average away from home, which means the chances they did get were poor ones.

Arouca's goalkeeper, I. de Arruabarrena, made four saves and was rated 7.4, the highest mark of any Arouca player. He kept the scoreline close for longer than the shot count alone would suggest, and his performance is the main reason the match stayed tight until the end. Without him the margin could easily have been wider.

Arouca also conceded more than usual at the back. They let in one goal, against an average of 0.7 when they travel, and Famalicao's chances were worth less than the 1.33 expected goals Arouca usually concede away. Famalicao, who let in 1.4 goals on average at home, kept their own goal clean, which is the reason the late goal was enough.

Arouca finished with three yellow cards and Famalicao with two, and nobody was sent off. Pedro Francisco won 10 duels, more than any Arouca player managed, and Paulo Moreira, rated 7.7, was the one who turned the match with his goal. The match was ordinary for Famalicao in possession and better than usual in shots, but poor for Arouca on both counts.

Famalicao are 11th in the table with 10 points from 10 matches, and their last six have brought two wins. Arouca are fifth on 20 points, and their last six have brought three wins.

Player of the matchPaulo Moreira1 goal7.7

L. Carević3 saves7.4

I. de Arruabarrena4 saves7.4

Pedro Francisco10 duels won7.3