Unseen hero's saves steady Santa Clara against Vitória S.C. | OneFootball

Gabriel Batista set the tone in the third minute with a reflex save, and Santa Clara beat Vitória S.C. 2-0. The goalkeeper's handling and decision-making framed a clean sheet on a busy night.

That early stop denied Thiago Balieiro from close range, with Batista springing right to push the effort away.

He then parried Diogo Sousa's drive from distance (16.). Soon after, he got behind Samu's long-range attempt to keep momentum with the hosts (39.).

After the restart he stood tall again, blocking Gonçalo Nogueira's effort from the centre of the box (68.). He capped it with another firm stop from Oumar Camara in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time.

He finished with five saves and two high claims, plus 18 accurate passes from 39, showing control of his area and calm distribution when Vitória S.C. had more of the ball and 14 attempts.

Because he commanded crosses and made timely stops as the visitors pushed, Batista allowed Santa Clara to reset between waves and protect their early platform without being dragged deep.

Santa Clara rise from 17th to 15th and visit AVS next. Vitória S.C. remain ninth and host Famalicão next.