In their debut wearing purple, FC Porto defeated Rio Ave in Vila do Conde (2-0) and now have six points in six in the 2026/27 Portuguese League. Returning to the starting lineup nearly a year after suffering a serious injury, Nehuén Pérez opened the scoring, and Borja Sainz came off the bench to give the thousands of Porto fans, who made their presence felt on the team’s first road trip of the season, even more reason to smile.

Francesco Farioli made three changes to the starting lineup from the season opener - Martim Fernandes, sidelined with a left thigh injury, Alan Varela, and André Silva were replaced by Nehuén Pérez, Pablo Rosario, and Deniz Gül - and it took just ten minutes for the changes to pay off: following a corner kick taken from the left by Gabri Veiga, just as had happened a year earlier, the Argentinian international defender jumped higher than the competition and headed in for the 1-0.

Gabri Veiga and Deniz Gül both took shots at Ennio van der Gouw’s goal, though without the desired accuracy, and Jakub Kiwior briefly celebrated what would have been his first goal as a Dragon (35m), but the play was ultimately ruled out due to an offside call on a teammate. Just before halftime, Diogo Costa leaped to stop a header by Tamble Monteiro and keep the score as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

After the break, William Gomes was the first to create a dangerous chance, with a shot from the left that forced the opposing goalkeeper to make a save (49'), and Deniz Gül also came close to extending the lead (57m), a header, following a cross from Pepê, but hit the far post. Both were substituted for Inbeom Hwang - making his league debut - and Borja Sainz in the 66th minute, shortly before Alberto Costa and André Silva replaced Nehuén Pérez and Gabri Veiga.

Gustavo Mancha took center stage in the 75th minute, preventing Borja Sainz’s curling cross from reaching Victor Froholdt, and the roles were reversed shortly afterward when the Danish midfielder crossed the ball and the Spanish forward’s shot was blocked by the home goalkeeper.

Third time’s the charm: after a run by Alberto Costa down the right and a sublime touch by Inbeom Hwang, Borja Sainz volleyed the ball to the far post and dedicated the goal to his mother, as he pointed to the sky. The No. 17 came close to scoring his second goal in the final five minutes, and the National Champions secured yet another clean sheet after Eustáquio entered the game.