Santa Clara finish the job as substitutes clinch it against Nacional | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Santa Clara beat Nacional 2-0 at Estádio de São Miguel. Pedro José Pacheco headed in from close range in the 27th minute from Andrey's cross after a corner. Nacional pushed after the break but lacked a cutting edge, and Elias Manoel finished a break in the second minute of second half stoppage time from Fernando's cross. Despite 59.1% possession the visitors mustered only one shot on target from 12 attempts, while Santa Clara stayed compact. The result lifts Santa Clara from 13th to 12th, and they visit Porto next as Nacional host Vitória S.C.

Player of the Match: Pedro José Pacheco set the tone with a first half header and then marshalled the back line, leading Santa Clara with eight clearances.

Stat of the Match: Nacional registered one shot on target from 12 attempts, underlining a blunt attack despite 59.1% possession.

Three Things We Learned: Santa Clara's defensive resolve told, with 35 clearances and 60.7% of duels won. Nacional's control did not translate into threat, as they completed 80.8% of 449 passes but produced little end product. Set pieces and bench impact mattered, with Andrey's delivery unlocking the game and the stoppage time clincher created and finished by two substitutes.