RECIFE, Brazil (Interstat) — EC Vitoria delivered a surprising 3-1 road victory over Sport Recife in a Carioca Série A match Sunday at Estádio Adelmar da Costa Carvalho, defying heavy pregame projections.

Luan Cândido opened the scoring for the visitors in the 13th minute, followed quickly by a goal from Aitor Cantalapiedra in the 15th. Pablo Felipe extended Vitoria’s lead in the 29th. Sport Recife’s lone reply came from Renato Kayzer just before halftime in the 48th. The result handed Vitoria a winning start to its campaign, while Sport Recife began with a loss. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-0 win for the hosts.