Arouca ran riot against Moreirense on Sunday evening, securing a comprehensive 4:0 victory in the second round of the Primeira Liga. The home side never looked back after taking an early lead, and the result moves them further clear at the top of the table. By then it was already clear this would not be a contest of equals.
The opening moment came from a slip of the mind rather than a moment of brilliance. Maracás turned the ball into his own net in the 23rd minute, and the visitors never recovered their composure. J. Fontan doubled the advantage from close range just before half-time, and the momentum shifted decisively in Arouca's favour.
And here's the thing about the first half — Moreirense simply could not cope with the pace of the transitions. I. Barbero struck twice in quick succession, first in the 45th minute and then again in the 45+1 minute, before the break. The visitors' goalkeeper was left stranded, and the statistics would later confirm what we saw on the pitch.
The second half brought more substitutions and more yellow cards, though the scoreline barely changed. Barbero was withdrawn in the 59th minute, replaced by Landerson, and Moreirense's options dwindled further. Dylan Nandín added two goals in stoppage time, both in the 90th and 90+1 minutes, capping a dominant display.
Statistically, the match told a familiar story. Arouca registered six shots on target against Moreirense's single attempt, and their expected goals figure of 2.14 sat comfortably above the visitors' 0.49. Three big chances created versus one — the difference was never going to be decided by possession, which remained essentially level at 51 to 49.
The result lifts Arouca to fourth place with nine points from four games, while Moreirense drop to 11th with just four points. The gap between them widens, and there is little consolation in the fact that Moreirense had drawn with Braga earlier in the week. Things came to a head in the final moments, and Arouca made sure to take every opportunity they had.