Late Goals from Samu and Strata Fire Vitória SC Past Rio Ave

Vitória SC left it late but ultimately secured a 2–0 home win over Rio Ave FC on Matchday 31 of the Primeira Liga, thanks to second-half goals from Samu and Anthony Strata.

In a match that remained goalless deep into the second half, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 72nd minute. Samu found the net for Vitória SC, putting the hosts 1–0 up after being teed up by Gustavo Silva. The goal shifted the momentum decisively in favour of the home side as Rio Ave chased an equaliser.

Primeira Liga FINISHED

2026-04-25 19:30

Vitória SC

2 - 0

Rio Ave FC

Matchday 31 REGULAR_SEASON

Vitória’s bench then made a decisive impact. Introduced in the 58th minute for Miguel Magalhães, Anthony Strata put the result beyond doubt in second-half stoppage time. The forward struck in the 90th minute +5, finishing a move created by Beni to make it 2–0 and seal the three points for Vitória SC.

The contest was also marked by a flurry of yellow cards. Rio Ave’s Andreas Ndoj picked up the first booking in the 28th minute, and the visitors would see three more players cautioned: Gustavo (60’), Tamás Nikitscher (61’) and Diogo Oliveira (79’). Vitória SC were not exempt from disciplinary action either, with Gustavo Silva (57’), Thiago Balieiro (62’), goalscorer Samu (80’) and late scorer Strata (90’) all going into the referee’s book.

Both managers turned to their benches throughout the second half, with Vitória introducing Strata, Goncalo Nogueira, Miguel Nogueira, Telmo Arcanjo and later Nélson Oliveira, while Rio Ave responded with changes including Joao Tome, Ryan Guilherme, Tamble Monteiro, Omar Richards and Rafael Genuino.

More detailed statistics and match events beyond goals, bookings and substitutions were not available at the time of writing. For further information, visit the full match page on Ballaxy: match centre.

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Primeira Liga Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	FC Porto	32	27	4	1	64	15	49	85	W W W W D
2	Sporting Clube de Portugal	32	23	7	2	82	23	59	76	W D D L W
3	Sport Lisboa e Benfica	32	22	10	0	69	22	47	76	D W W W D
4	Sporting Clube de Braga	32	16	9	7	60	32	28	57	D L W D W
5	FC Famalicão	32	14	10	8	41	29	12	52	D W D D D
6	Gil Vicente FC	32	13	11	8	46	32	14	50	D W L D
7	Vitória SC	32	12	6	14	39	48	-9	42	L W W D
8	Moreirense FC	32	12	6	14	37	47	-10	42	W L W D L
9	GD Estoril Praia	32	10	8	14	52	53	-1	38	D L L L L
10	FC Alverca	32	10	8	14	34	50	-16	38	L W L W W
11	FC Arouca	32	10	6	16	41	62	-21	36	D L W L W
12	Rio Ave FC	32	8	11	13	33	52	-19	35	D L D W L
13	CD Santa Clara	32	8	9	15	30	40	-10	33	D W D L
14	CD Nacional	32	8	7	17	35	43	-8	31	L W W L W
15	CF Estrela da Amadora	32	6	10	16	36	54	-18	28	L L L L L
16	Casa Pia AC	32	5	11	16	29	56	-27	26	L L L D L
17	CD Tondela	32	5	10	17	24	52	-28	25	W D L L D
18	AVS	32	2	11	19	24	66	-42	17	W D D D