Göztepe's Clinical Masterclass: Rizespor Dismantled 3-0

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 57/100. Göztepe announced their title credentials with a ruthless display at Rizespor, while the hosts' relegation nightmare began on matchday one.

Rizespor's Possession Mirage

Rizespor controlled 56% possession yet offered nothing but hollow dominance. With just one shot on target from 13 attempts and an xG of 1.67, the home side lacked the clinical edge to trouble Göztepe's backline. The intensity was there—30 combined shots flew in—but Rize's wastefulness told the story. Conversely, Göztepe's visitors were surgical: four shots on target from 17 attempts, converting chances with ruthless efficiency.

Bokele's 52nd-Minute Turning Point

The match's pivotal moment arrived when M. Bokele finished Janderson's assist in the 52nd minute. That goal shattered Rizespor's fragile balance. What followed was a masterclass in substitute management. Anthony Junior Dennis, introduced at the 46th-minute mark, and Emersonn, deployed in the 73rd minute, both struck in the 90th—a devastating two-punch combination that transformed a contest into a rout. The bench's intervention showcased tactical superiority and squad depth.

Rizespor Faces Relegation Spectre

Starting in 16th place with zero points, Rizespor now faces a stakes-laden battle for survival. Three points adrift of the title race before the season truly began is a chasm few recover from. Meanwhile, Göztepe's fourth-place perch and three-point haul signals genuine ambition—a statement win that separates contenders from pretenders.