Santa Clara frustrated as Arouca dig in for point | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Santa Clara and Arouca drew 0-0 at the Estádio de São Miguel. In the third minute, Matheus Nunes Fagundes de Araújo forced Nico Mantl to save a header from Serginho's cross. Arouca lost Boris Popovic to injury early, and after the restart Gabriel Silva drew a sharp stop from Mantl (83.). Santa Clara registered five shots on target to Arouca's two, but Mantl's five saves and Matías Rocha's 10 clearances kept the hosts out. Santa Clara rise from 14th to 13th and visit Nacional next, while Arouca drop from 15th to 16th and host Gil Vicente next.

Player of the Match: Nico Mantl anchored Arouca's clean sheet with five saves, including a firm late stop from Gabriel Silva, and commanded his box throughout.

Stat of the Match: Nico Mantl produced five saves, the decisive barrier as Santa Clara's superior shot volume went unrewarded.

Three Things We Learned: Arouca coped with Boris Popovic's first half injury, staying compact and conceding only two corners. Serginho made two key passes for Santa Clara, supplying much of their best service. Arouca's crossing return was just 5.9% from 17 attempts, blunting their wide threat.