Analysis The numbers behind the result
Sporting CP’s dominance confirmed by comprehensive stats
The 2-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of Sporting CP's superiority, as they outperformed Nacional across almost every metric. Sporting's 19 total shots (8 on target) dwarfed Nacional's meagre 3 (2 on target), with a clear disparity in xG likely skewed even further by Sporting's penalty. Luis Suárez opened the scoring from the spot in the 32nd minute, before Flávio Gonçalves doubled the lead early in the second half, assisted by Suárez, to confirm their dominance.
Sporting's 67% possession translated into sustained pressure, evidenced by their 12 corners compared to Nacional's 0, and 10 shots inside the box versus Nacional's 0. Despite Nacional's goalkeeper making 6 saves, Sporting's clinical edge—boasting an 8-shot on-target tally—proved decisive. Nacional struggled to create meaningful chances, managing only 3 shots outside the box, none of which seriously troubled Rui Silva.
The game's defining statistic was Sporting's 19 total shots, a testament to their control and attacking efficiency. Nacional's inability to register a shot inside the box highlighted their lack of attacking threat, ensuring Sporting's comfortable victory.