Rios Beats Suarez to Win First Trophy with Benfica
On July 31, 2025, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon faced off in the Portuguese Super Cup — a clash that marked the first shot at silverware for both Richard Rios and Luis Javier Suarez following their recent transfers.
Benfica edged out a 1-0 win, with Richard Rios delivering a standout performance in midfield. The Colombian controlled the tempo, broke up play, and dictated transitions — a dominant display that played a key role in securing his first trophy with the club. Clearly made amends with Otamendi (for more on this check out – When Enemies Become Teammates: Ríos x Otamendi – Cafetero Del Norte)
Luis Suarez, on the other hand, made his debut for Sporting Lisbon after coming on in the 68th minute. The Colombian forward had a few bright moments but ultimately couldn’t break through a disciplined Benfica defense. Despite the promise, it wasn’t enough to change the course of the match. This one belonged to Rios and he’s feeling good about it.
About the match
The game was evenly contested from start to finish, with both teams taking a cautious, tactical approach. Neither side was willing to take major risks, which led to a tightly controlled midfield battle and few clear-cut opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
Possession:
Sporting Lisbon – 54%
SL Benfica – 46%
Shots:
Sporting – 13 (3 on target)
Benfica – 9 (2 on target)
Big Chances:
Sporting – 1
Benfica – 0 (but made their goal count)
As the stats show, it was a relatively balanced match, with Sporting Lisbon slightly edging possession and shot totals. However, Benfica remained well-organized and compact defensively, minimizing danger in the final third. While they didn’t create many chances going forward, they stayed patient and clinical when it mattered most — capitalizing on their key moment to secure the win and the trophy.
Richard Rios Performance
Richard Rios delivered a standout performance in midfield, showcasing exactly why Benfica brought him in. He was dominant throughout, providing a solid defensive presence while also acting as a key outlet in transition. Rios frequently broke Sporting’s midfield lines — whether through sharp dribbling or incisive forward passes — as seen in the video above, Rios was the one who initiated the move, that led to the game’s only goal, lofting a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Pavlidis. Statistically, he was everywhere: 63 touches, 41 passes attempted with a 78% success rate, and a 50% dribble success rate on 2 attempts. Defensively, he was immense — winning 11 of 13 ground duels, 100% of his aerial duels, and drawing 7 fouls. It was a complete midfield display from the Colombian, who played with maturity, bite, and confidence in what already looks like a defining role at Benfica.
Luis Suarez Debut
Luis Suarez made his long-awaited debut for Sporting Lisbon in the 68th minute, but found it difficult to leave a major mark on the match. The attacking third was congested for most of the second half, with Benfica’s defense staying compact and limiting space in and around the box. Suarez did have a couple of bright moments — one being a clever backheel pass to Trincao at the edge of the area, which was quickly shut down by Benfica’s backline. Another came when he was nearly through on goal, but his shot was well-blocked by Antonio Silva. While it wasn’t the most explosive debut, it offered flashes of Suarez’s quality — and there’s no doubt there’s plenty more to come from him in a Sporting shirt.
Final Thoughts
With the Portuguese Super Cup setting the tone, both Benfica and Sporting Lisbon have plenty to build on as they head into the new season. Richard Rios looks ready to be a key figure in Benfica’s midfield, and his dominant display will only boost confidence as the team prepares for both domestic and European challenges. For Sporting, while the result didn’t go their way, the brief glimpses of Luis Suarez’s creativity suggest he could grow into a major attacking weapon with more minutes under his belt.
As the Portuguese league kicks off and European nights return, the stage is set for another exciting season. If this Super Cup clash was any indication, there’s a lot to look forward to — and plenty of Colombian flair to keep an eye on.
What did you think of the match? Are you excited to see what Rios and Suarez will bring this season?
Share your thoughts in the comments below
for a deeper look into this match, check out: https://onefootball.com/en/news/benfica-1-0-sporting-cp-eagles-secure-the-super-cup-to-earn-early-bragging-rights-in-portugal-41452220
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