FC Porto beat Arouca 2-0 in the third league match, with goals from Gabri Veiga at 63 minutes and Borja Sainz at 86, and took the isolated top spot with nine points.
Decisive goals
The first goal of the match came at 63 minutes, when Gabri Veiga, with a precise shot, put FC Porto ahead. The second goal, at 86 minutes, was scored by Borja Sainz, who capitalised on a cross from Pepê on the right, inside the Arouca area.
Annullled goals
During the second half, two FC Porto goals were annulled by the video-referee. The first was a header by Alberto Costa at 52 minutes, which was ruled a foul by the right-back on goalkeeper De Arruabarrena. The second was an outside-area shot by Kiwior, which was invalidated because André Silva, in an off-side position, interfered with the play.
Arouca’s defence
Arouca set up a defensive wall, with a back-line, man-to-man marking and little space between central and wide players. Despite this, the team kept a clean sheet in the first two league games and, in the match against Porto, only conceded two goals, both in the second half.
FC Porto’s pressure
Francesco Farioli warned that the Portistas needed to show their “best version” to overcome the opponent. The high pressure from the Portistas led to ball losses and quick transitions, but the Uruguayan goalkeeper De Arruabarrena kept the net unbreached in the first two league games, denying goals to William Gomes and Pepê.
Championship impact
With the win, FC Porto accumulated nine points and became the isolated league leader. Arouca, although not winning, managed to compete with the national champion, motivated by the win over Moreirense and the victory at home to V. Guimarães.
Conclusion
FC Porto ended the match with the isolated leadership, thanks to the goals from Gabri Veiga and Borja Sainz, and the defensive performance that kept the net clean, despite the annulled goals.
