Analysis The numbers behind the result
Rizespor edge Konyaspor with late penalty after dominating xG
Rizespor's narrow 1-0 win was deserved on the balance of play, with their superior xG (1.46 vs Konyaspor's 0.53) reflecting better chance creation. Despite Konyaspor's defensive resilience, Rizespor's 13 total shots (5 on target) and 7 corners underscored their attacking intent, while Konyaspor managed just 8 shots (3 on target) and a solitary corner.
The decisive moment came in the 97th minute when Qazim Laci converted a penalty, capitalising on Rizespor's territorial dominance (57% possession) and higher pass accuracy (89% vs Konyaspor's 81%). Konyaspor's goalkeeper Bahadır Han Güngördü kept them in the game with 4 saves, but their lack of attacking threat—only 7 shots inside the box compared to Rizespor's 9—proved costly. The key stat: Rizespor's xG of 1.46, nearly triple Konyaspor's, justified their late breakthrough.