CERIGNOLA, Italy (Interstat) — In a match that defied pregame projections, Audace Cerignola secured a 2-1 victory over Sorrento on Sunday in a Serie C fixture at Stadio Comunale Alfredo Viviani.

The result handed Cerignola a winning start to their league campaign, improving their record to one win and no losses, while the home side Sorrento began their season with a defeat, falling to zero wins and one loss. The identical records apply to both clubs across all competitions.

The outcome ran counter to the statistical expectations set before the match. Interstat’s ELO system had given Sorrento a 54 percent probability of securing a win on their home pitch. However, the final scoreline matched the projection of the organization’s game simulator, which had predicted a 2-1 result for the visiting side.

Audace Cerignola established an early lead and never relinquished it, setting the tempo from the opening minutes. The first goal arrived in the 11th minute, when Luca Martinelli found the back of the net to stun the home crowd and give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

The away team carried that lead into halftime and then extended it dramatically early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Diego Gambale scored Cerignola’s second goal, doubling their margin and putting Sorrento in a difficult position.

Facing a two-goal deficit, Sorrento pressed for a response throughout the remainder of the match. Their efforts were finally rewarded in the closing stages of regulation time. In the 88th minute, Don Bolsius scored for the home side, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and providing a late surge of hope.

Despite the late goal and several minutes of stoppage time, Sorrento could not find an equalizer. The Cerignola defense held firm to see out the match and secure the three points on the road.

The victory gives Audace Cerignola immediate positive momentum as they open their Serie C season. For Sorrento, the loss means they will look to regroup and secure their first points of the campaign in their next outing.