RIO MAIOR, Portugal (Interstat) — Jalen Blesa’s second-half equalizer earned Rio Ave a 1-1 draw against Casa Pia on Saturday in a Primeira Liga opener at Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior.

Casa Pia struck first in the 35th minute when forward Larra found the net. Rio Ave responded in the 52nd minute as substitute Jalen Blesa scored, leveling the match. Forward João Marques was credited with an assist on the Blesa goal and later received a yellow card in the 80th minute.

Both teams opened their seasons with identical records: zero wins, zero losses and one draw in league play, matching their overall competition records. The result left each side with a single point from the first matchday.

The game marked the beginning of the 2026 campaign for both clubs, with neither able to break the deadlock after Blesa’s strike. Casa Pia defended stoutly in the closing stages but could not find a winner. Rio Ave’s defense held firm as well, ensuring the shared points. The match featured disciplined play aside from Marques’ caution, with no further bookings.