In a hard-fought encounter in the Liga Portugal, SL Benfica narrowly edged Rio Ave with a 3-2 victory. Benfica's quick gameplay was evident right from the start, with the first goal arriving at just under the 30-minute mark in the first half. Rio Ave's defense was unable to contain Benfica's advances, conceding two more goals in the second half despite their earnest attempts to counter. The early goal set the tone for Benfica's attacking strategy which was both determined and effective.

Statistically, Benfica's offensive edge was solidified with a significant number of corner kicks, totaling 11 against Rio Ave's 3. This barrage of corners underscored Benfica's dominance in the attacking third and provided them with multiple scoring opportunities. In contrast, Rio Ave's inability to frequently probe Benfica's defense was mirrored by their limited corner count, highlighting areas for tactical improvement. Although Rio Ave showed resilience by leveling the score with two goals in a span of just over 10 minutes, defensive gaps allowed Benfica to capitalize and secure a winning margin.

Disciplinary actions also influenced the match dynamics, particularly for Rio Ave. The two yellow cards accumulated, leading to a red card situation, restricted their ability to maintain cohesive defensive pressure. Playing a man down against a team like Benfica, who were able to maintain pressure with relatively fewer fouls and one yellow card less, tilted the balance further in favor of the visitors. Additionally, the decisive third goal from Benfica shortly after Rio Ave's equalizer dampened the latter's surge and reflected Benfica's superior ability to adapt and reset their offensive momentum effectively.

Overall, teamwork and tactical execution stood out as the defining characteristics in this match. Benfica's ability to exploit set pieces and maintain their offensive tempo was vital, while Rio Ave's spirited endeavors fell just short, largely due to disciplinary hindrances and strategic limitations. Both teams exhibited passionate displays of skill, but ultimately, Benfica's superior discipline in key moments and their effectiveness in set pieces sealed their narrow triumph.

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