Match report
FC Porto Defeats Rio Ave 1-0 in Primeira Liga Clash
FC Porto
1–0
FT
Rio Ave
Feb 22, 2026
FC Porto held off a tenacious Rio Ave to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the Primeira Liga. V. Froholdt's early goal stood as the difference, despite several key substitutions and a controversial VAR decision that canceled one of FC Porto’s goals.
Key Facts
- • Final score: FC Porto 1-0 Rio Ave
- • Goal by V. Froholdt in the 22nd minute, assisted by O. Pietuszewski
- • VAR canceled a goal for FC Porto in the 51st minute involving D. Gul
- • Rio Ave made three substitutions: K. Zoabi out for D. Spikic, J. Tome out for O. Pohlmann, and Ryan Guilherme out for T. Nikitscher
- • FC Porto also made several changes, including B. Sainz for Pepé Aquino, S. Fofana for D. Gul, and T. Moffi for V. Froholdt
Lineups
FC Porto
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI
- 99 Diogo Costa (G)
- 20 Alberto Costa (D)
- 5 Jan Bednarek (D)
- 13 Pablo Rosario (D)
- 12 Zaidu Sanusi (D)
- 8 Victor Froholdt (M)
- 22 Alan Varela (M)
- 10 Gabri Veiga (M)
- 11 Pepê (F)
- 27 Deniz Gül (F)
- 77 Oskar Pietuszewski (F)
Substitutes
- 86 Rodrigo Mora
- 7 William Gomes
- 42 Seko Fofana
- 17 Borja Sainz
- 29 Terem Moffi
- 14 Cláudio Ramos
- 74 Francisco Moura
- 21 Dominik Prpić
- 73 Gabriel Brás
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)
- 77 Omar Richards (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
- 20 João Tomé
- 14 Karem Zoabi
- 19 Antonis Papakanellos
- 8 Ryan Guilherme
- 21 João Graça
- 22 Kevin Chamorro
- 6 Nelson Abbey
- 23 Francisco Petrasso
- 54 Georgios Liavas
Timeline
-
22' FC Porto Goal · Normal GoalV. Froholdt · Assist: O. Pietuszewski -
51' FC Porto Var · Goal cancelledD. Gul -
65' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 1Off: D. Spikic · On: K. Zoabi -
65' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 2Off: O. Pohlmann · On: J. Tome -
75' FC Porto subst · Substitution 3Off: Pepê Aquino · On: B. Sainz -
75' FC Porto subst · Substitution 4Off: D. Gul · On: S. Fofana -
83' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 3Off: T. Nikitscher · On: Ryan Guilherme -
83' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 4Off: M. Vrousai · On: A. Papakanellos -
85' FC Porto subst · Substitution 5Off: V. Froholdt · On: T. Moffi -
88' Rio Ave subst · Substitution 5Off: Andreas Ndoj · On: J. Graca -
90'+2 Rio Ave Card · Yellow CardJ. GracaArgument
Match Stats
| Stat | FC Porto | Rio Ave |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 14 | 16 |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% | 80% |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 16 | 6 |
| Corners | 10 | 1 |
| Total Passes | 472 | 397 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 1 |
| xG | 1.95 | 0.24 |
| Shots off Target | 8 | 3 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 404 | 319 |
| Shots Inside Box | 11 | 2 |
| Saves | 1 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 5 | 4 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ The early goal by V. Froholdt in the 22nd minute set FC Porto on course for victory
- ▸ A controversial VAR decision to cancel a legitimate-looking goal for FC Porto at half-time shifted momentum, allowing Rio Ave to push harder