In the match between Santa Clara and Porto on 16 August 2024, Porto secured a decisive 2-0 victory. Both of Porto's goals were scored in the first half, with an early strike at the 15-minute mark followed by another at the 24th minute. These quick goals put Santa Clara on the back foot and forced them to chase the game from early on, proving to be the tipping point in the match.

The discipline on the field played a significant role in the match's outcome. Santa Clara was hampered by a red card in the second half, which inevitably widened the gap in team performance and synergy. While both teams had a fairly even distribution of yellow cards, with Porto accumulating three and Santa Clara two, the red card critically impaired Santa Clara’s ability to mount a successful comeback or create significant chances.

Statistically, both teams were level in terms of corner kicks with two apiece; however, Santa Clara's inability to convert these set-piece opportunities was glaring. Meanwhile, both teams were regularly caught offside, indicating a defense-oriented game strategy to intercept forward plays. Santa Clara was flagged offside five times compared to Porto's four, showing a lack of precision in their attacking drives.

Fouls were another crucial statistic, with Santa Clara committing 17 to Porto’s 14. This not only disrupted the flow of the match but also led to more significant disciplinary actions against Santa Clara, culminating in the red card incident. This aggressive approach in trying to stifle Porto's advances inadvertently cost them cohesiveness and numerical parity on the field.

Ultimately, Porto's ability to manage the game after securing an early lead, combined with Santa Clara's issues around discipline and setting up consistent attacks, underpinned Porto’s victory. Porto demonstrated more effective teamwork and tactical execution, especially in managing the game's tempo after their initial two goals.

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