Rizespor 0–2 Samsunspor | Super Lig | 22 August 2026

Result Summary

Samsunspor claimed a composed and clinical 2–0 victory away at Rizespor in the Super Lig, with Josafat Wooding Mendes and Fatih Kaya both finding the net to secure all three points for Thorsten Fink's side. Despite being second-best in almost every volume metric, Samsunspor demonstrated the effectiveness of ruthless finishing over prolonged possession.

Match Analysis

The scoreline tells only part of the story. Rizespor, under coach Recep Uçar, were the dominant side in terms of territory and attacking intent — recording 28 total shots compared to Samsunspor's 6, and controlling 60% of possession. Their 83 dangerous attacks dwarfed Samsunspor's 11, and their 23 key passes illustrated a team that consistently built into threatening positions. Yet none of it translated into goals.

The breakthrough came on 34 minutes, when Saikuba Jarju delivered the assist for Josafat Wooding Mendes, who finished with his left foot to put Samsunspor ahead against the run of play. It was a reminder of how quickly a disciplined defensive unit can punish a team failing to convert its chances. Rizespor's 8 shots on target underline that the opportunities were there — the execution simply wasn't.

Samsunspor had received a yellow card for Logi Tómasson as early as the 27th minute for a foul, suggesting Rizespor were creating enough discomfort to force defensive interventions. Yet the visitors' backline held firm throughout.

The second goal on 63 minutes effectively ended the contest. Saikuba Jarju registered his second assist of the match, teeing up Fatih Kaya for a composed right-foot finish. Two assists from Jarju in a single away performance is a standout individual contribution worth noting. With a two-goal cushion, Samsunspor made a swift adjustment, withdrawing Yalçın Kayan for Samed Onur on 65 minutes to shore up their shape.

Rizespor responded with a flurry of substitutions — bringing on Emrecan Bulut, Dal Varesanovic, Mustafa Coşkun Tosun, and Tayyib Talha Sanuç in rapid succession — but the structural damage was already done. Modibo Sagnan collected a yellow card in the 83rd minute as frustration mounted. Samsunspor themselves rotated late on, with Tahsin Bülbül replacing the impressive Jarju on 85 minutes and Yirigue Foungognan Sekongo coming on in stoppage time for Fatih Kaya. The game finished without further incident.

The 10 corners won by Rizespor compared to Samsunspor's single corner further underscores just how much the home side camped in the final third without reward — 12 shots off target is a particularly telling figure.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast leaned toward a 1–1 draw (Home 43%, Draw 29%, Away 28%) with a low confidence rating of 51/100, which accurately reflected the uncertainty surrounding this fixture. The prediction proved incorrect, as Samsunspor's away win was the least-favoured outcome in our model. The statistics suggest the draw prediction was not unreasonable on paper — Rizespor's attacking volume would typically yield goals — but the model underestimated Samsunspor's defensive resilience and their capacity to be decisive on the counter.

Key Takeaways

• Saikuba Jarju was the game's most influential figure, directly creating both goals with two assists before being rested late on.
• Rizespor's attacking wastefulness was the defining theme — 28 shots, 8 on target, and no goals is a deeply inefficient return.
• Thorsten Fink's Samsunspor showed tactical maturity, absorbing pressure and striking