Match report

Arouca Stuns Nacional with Late Goals, Secures 2-1 Win in Primeira Liga

Nacional
Nacional
1–2
FT
Arouca
Arouca
Sep 20, 2025

Arouca pulled off an impressive comeback against Nacional in the Primeira Liga on Saturday. Trailing after J. Ramirez converted a penalty for Nacional, Arouca struck twice through B. Popovic and E. van Ee to secure a 2-1 win that stunned their opponents.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Nacional 1–2 Arouca
  • • J. Ramirez scored the only goal for Nacional from a penalty in the 66th minute.
  • • B. Popovic equalized for Arouca with a normal goal in the 74th minute.
  • • E. van Ee secured victory for Arouca with another normal goal in the 89th minute.
  • • Nacional's Matheus Dias was sent off for a red card foul at the 80th minute.

Lineups

Nacional

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 37 Lucas Franca (G)
  • 2 J. Aurelio (D)
  • 34 Leo Santos (D)
  • 38 Ze Vitor (D)
  • 5 Jose Gomes (D)
  • 6 Matheus Dias (M)
  • 99 Pablo Ruan (M)
  • 28 Liziero (M)
  • 15 C. Labidi (M)
  • 11 Paulinho Boia (M)
  • 9 J. Ramirez (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 Kaique Pereira
  • 4 Ulisses
  • 7 Witi
  • 16 A. Nunez
  • 18 A. Sousa
  • 19 L. Joao
  • 22 F. Soares
  • 26 J. Silva
  • 30 Watts

Arouca

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Valido (G)
  • 28 Tiago Esgaio (D)
  • 5 B. Popovic (D)
  • 3 J. Fontan (D)
  • 44 A. Dante (D)
  • 21 T. Fukui (M)
  • 8 D. Simao (M)
  • 19 A. Trezza (M)
  • 14 H. Lee (M)
  • 7 N. Djouahra (M)
  • 23 D. Nandin (F)

Substitutes

  • 58 N. Mantl
  • 4 M. Rocha
  • 10 P. Gozalbez
  • 11 Puche
  • 17 I. Barbero
  • 22 E. van Ee
  • 24 B. Mansilla
  • 78 Alex Pinto
  • 89 Pedro Santos

Timeline

  1. Nacional
    5' Nacional Card · Yellow Card
    Liziero

    Foul

  2. Arouca
    57' Arouca Card · Yellow Card
    J. Fontan

    Foul

  3. Arouca
    62' Arouca subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Lee · On: P. Gozalbez
  4. Nacional
    66' Nacional Goal · Penalty
    J. Ramirez
  5. Arouca
    71' Arouca subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Dylan Nandín · On: I. Barbero
  6. Arouca
    71' Arouca subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Trezza · On: B. Mansilla
  7. Arouca
    74' Arouca Goal · Normal Goal
    B. Popovic · Assist: N. Djouahra
  8. Nacional
    78' Nacional subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Pablo Ruan · On: Witi
  9. Nacional
    80' Nacional Card · Red Card
    Matheus Dias

    Professional foul last man

  10. Nacional
    82' Nacional subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Labidi · On: Ulisses
  11. Arouca
    84' Arouca subst · Substitution 4
    Off: N. Djouahra · On: Puche
  12. Arouca
    84' Arouca subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Fukui · On: E. van Ee
  13. Arouca
    85' Arouca Card · Yellow Card
    J. Fontan

    Foul

  14. Arouca
    85' Arouca Card · Red Card
    J. Fontan

    Foul

  15. Nacional
    88' Nacional subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Leo Santos · On: F. Soares
  16. Arouca
    89' Arouca Goal · Normal Goal
    E. van Ee · Assist: I. Barbero
  17. Nacional
    90'+6 Nacional Card · Yellow Card
    J. Ramirez
  18. Nacional
    90'+8 Nacional Var · Goal cancelled
    J. Ramirez

Match Stats

Stat Nacional Arouca
Fouls 10 18
Pass Accuracy 78% 73%
Offsides 7 0
Red Cards 1 1
Total Shots 15 10
Corners 3 5
Total Passes 349 249
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 3 3
Shots on Target 6 3
xG 2.47 1.10
Shots off Target 6 4
Possession 58% 42%
Goals Prevented 1 1
Accurate Passes 272 183
Shots Inside Box 7 5
Saves 1 5
Shots Outside Box 8 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The turning point came when Arouca equalized through B. Popovic's goal, reviving their spirits and leading to Nacional losing focus.
  • ▸ Arouca capitalized on Nacional being reduced to ten men after Matheus Dias was sent off with a red card, sealing the victory in stoppage time.