Match report

Rio Ave Defeats Tondela 1-0 in Primeira Liga Clash

Tondela
Tondela
0–1
FT
Rio Ave
Rio Ave
Mar 9, 2026

Rio Ave managed to secure a narrow but crucial victory over Tondela in their Primeira Liga encounter. The match was highlighted by a disciplined defensive effort from Rio Ave, which saw them hold off Tondela's attempts to level the score. J. Blesa's goal in the 70th minute was the difference maker, and it was set up by D. Spikic, showcasing Rio Ave's tactical acumen and persistence.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Rio Ave 1 - 0 Tondela
  • • Goal: J. Blesa (70', Rio Ave)
  • • Assist: D. Spikic (Rio Ave)
  • • Card: Andreas Ndoj (Yellow, 29', Rio Ave)
  • • Card: M. Vrousai (Yellow, 35', Rio Ave)
  • • Card: N. Abbey (Yellow, 87', Rio Ave)
  • • Card: Diogo Bezerra (Yellow, 90', Rio Ave)

Lineups

Tondela

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 31 Bernardo Fontes (G)
  • 44 João Silva (D)
  • 4 Christian Marques (D)
  • 20 Brayan Medina (D)
  • 2 Bebeto (M)
  • 10 Joe Hodge (M)
  • 32 Juan Rodríguez (M)
  • 27 Rodrigo Conceição (M)
  • 7 Maranhão (F)
  • 90 Makan Aïko (F)
  • 23 Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka (F)

Substitutes

  • 15 Siphephelo Sithole
  • 29 Jordan Siebatcheu
  • 8 Hélder Tavares
  • 48 Tiago Manso
  • 70 Moudjatovic
  • 30 Lucas Cañizares
  • 5 João Afonso
  • 26 Arjen Van Der Heide
  • 14 Xabi Huarte

Rio Ave

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 99 Ennio Van Der Gouw (G)
  • 17 Marios Vrousai (D)
  • 32 Jakub Brabec (D)
  • 39 Gustavo Mancha (D)
  • 6 Nelson Abbey (D)
  • 44 Tamás Nikitscher (M)
  • 5 Andreas Ndoj (M)
  • 7 Diogo Bezerra (M)
  • 80 Ole Pohlmann (M)
  • 18 Dario Špikić (M)
  • 11 Jalen Blesa (F)

Substitutes

  • 8 Ryan Guilherme
  • 20 João Tomé
  • 9 Tamblé Monteiro
  • 23 Francisco Petrasso
  • 24 Leonardo Buta
  • 1 Cezary Miszta
  • 54 Georgios Liavas
  • 19 Antonis Papakanellos
  • 21 João Graça

Timeline

  1. Rio Ave
    29' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    Andreas Ndoj

    Argument

  2. Rio Ave
    35' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    M. Vrousai

    Foul

  3. Rio Ave
    45' Rio Ave Var · Penalty confirmed
    O. Pohlmann
  4. Rio Ave
    60' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Andreas Ndoj · On: Ryan Guilherme
  5. Tondela
    62' Tondela subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Juan Rodríguez · On: S. Sithole
  6. Rio Ave
    70' Rio Ave Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Blesa · Assist: D. Spikic
  7. Rio Ave
    72' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Pohlmann · On: J. Tome
  8. Rio Ave
    72' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Spikic · On: T. Monteiro
  9. Tondela
    74' Tondela subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Hodge · On: J. Siebatcheu
  10. Tondela
    75' Tondela subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Christian Marques · On: H. Tavares
  11. Tondela
    81' Tondela subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Aiko · On: Tiago Manso
  12. Tondela
    81' Tondela subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Bebeto · On: M. Ouattara
  13. Rio Ave
    87' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    N. Abbey

    Time wasting

  14. Rio Ave
    89' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 4
    Off: N. Abbey · On: L. Buta
  15. Rio Ave
    89' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Blesa · On: F. Petrasso
  16. Rio Ave
    90'+4 Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    Diogo Bezerra

    Time wasting

Match Stats

Stat Tondela Rio Ave
Fouls 15 14
Pass Accuracy 79% 84%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 6 9
Corners 3 2
Total Passes 406 454
Yellow Cards 0 5
Blocked Shots 1 2
Shots on Target 2 2
xG 0.50 1.23
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 47% 53%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 319 381
Shots Inside Box 5 7
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 1 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Rio Ave's early yellow cards to Andreas Ndoj and M. Vrousai at 29' and 35' respectively set a cautious tone for the match, limiting their offensive options.
  • ▸ The decisive turning point came in the 70th minute when J. Blesa scored the only goal of the game, assisted by D. Spikic, which proved to be the game-winner.