Ceara 0, CA Mineiro 1

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Interstat) — In a match that defied its own pregame projections, Atletico Mineiro opened its Carioca Série A campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ceará SC on Saturday, a result that felt both inevitable and strangely unfulfilling at Arena MRV. The contest, which kicked off the domestic season for both sides, was decided in its opening moments, rendering the subsequent 90 minutes a largely tactical stalemate. Midfielder Alan Franco provided the game’s only moment of decisive quality, heading home a goal just 60 seconds after the opening whistle to immediately put the home side in front.… Read more...