Match report

Rio Ave Defeats Estrela 2-1 in Primeira Liga Action

Rio Ave
Rio Ave
2–1
FT
Estrela
Estrela
Mar 15, 2026

Rio Ave secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Estrela in their Primeira Liga clash on March 15, 2026. J. Blesa scored twice for Rio Ave, while Rodrigo Pinho netted for Estrela. Rio Ave's defense held strong despite Estrela's late push, ensuring a valuable three points for the home side.

Key Facts

  • • Rio Ave: 2 goals by J. Blesa
  • • Estrela: 1 goal by Rodrigo Pinho
  • • Rio Ave: Jakub Brabec, O. Pohlmann, E. van der Gouw, and Ryan Guilherme received yellow cards
  • • Estrela: Max Scholze and Eddy Doué received yellow cards
  • • D. Spikic provided two assists for J. Blesa's goals

Lineups

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
  • 54 Georgios Liavas
  • 23 Francisco Petrasso
  • 1 Cezary Miszta
  • 24 Leonardo Buta
  • 19 Antonis Papakanellos
  • 21 João Graça

Estrela

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 40 Renan Ribeiro (G)
  • 21 Max Scholze (D)
  • 30 Luan Patrick (D)
  • 83 Otavio (D)
  • 24 Bruno Langa (D)
  • 6 Kevin Höög Jansson (M)
  • 19 Paulo Moreira (M)
  • 99 Abraham Marcus (M)
  • 11 Jovane Cabral (M)
  • 10 Ianis Stoica (M)
  • 9 Rodrigo Pinho (F)

Substitutes

  • 8 Robson Lucas Oliveira Botelho
  • 39 Eddy Doué
  • 7 Leandro Antonetti
  • 2 Yahya Kalley
  • 28 Tom Moustier
  • 13 Eduardo Dos Santos Haesler
  • 3 Ni
  • 63 Alex Sola
  • 18 Jorge Meireles

Timeline

  1. Rio Ave
    8' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    Jakub Brabec
  2. Estrela
    15' Estrela Card · Yellow Card
    Max Scholze
  3. Rio Ave
    27' Rio Ave Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Blesa · Assist: D. Spikic
  4. Rio Ave
    45'+1 Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    O. Pohlmann
  5. Rio Ave
    48' Rio Ave Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Blesa · Assist: D. Spikic
  6. Estrela
    54' Estrela subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Stoica · On: Robinho
  7. Estrela
    54' Estrela subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Otavio · On: Eddy Doué
  8. Rio Ave
    58' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 1
    Off: O. Pohlmann · On: Ryan Guilherme
  9. Estrela
    65' Estrela Goal · Normal Goal
    Rodrigo Pinho · Assist: Robinho
  10. Rio Ave
    67' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    E. van der Gouw
  11. Rio Ave
    68' Rio Ave Card · Yellow Card
    Ryan Guilherme
  12. Rio Ave
    75' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Spikic · On: J. Tome
  13. Rio Ave
    75' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Abbey · On: T. Monteiro
  14. Estrela
    80' Estrela Card · Yellow Card
    Eddy Doué
  15. Estrela
    83' Estrela subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Max Scholze · On: L. Antonetti
  16. Rio Ave
    88' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Diogo Bezerra · On: G. Liavas
  17. Estrela
    89' Estrela subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Luan Patrick · On: T. Moustier
  18. Estrela
    89' Estrela subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. Langa · On: Yahya Kalley

Match Stats

Stat Rio Ave Estrela
Fouls 16 12
Pass Accuracy 83% 84%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 11
Corners 10 4
Total Passes 358 462
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 9 2
Shots on Target 6 3
xG 2.75 1.34
Shots off Target 3 6
Possession 44% 56%
Goals Prevented 1 1
Accurate Passes 296 389
Shots Inside Box 12 5
Saves 2 4
Shots Outside Box 6 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ J. Blesa's early goal in the 27th minute set the tone for Rio Ave, putting them ahead and boosting their confidence.
  • ▸ Estrela's late goal by Rodrigo Pinho in the 65th minute provided a brief spark, but Rio Ave's defense remained resilient to secure the win.