CATANZARO, Italy (Interstat) — In a dramatic finish that defied pregame projections, Catanzaro and Modena opened their Serie B campaigns with a 2-2 draw Tuesday afternoon at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo.

The match, which saw both teams erase deficits, was decided in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time by Modena substitute Pedro Mendes, whose late heroics salvaged a point for the visiting side. The result left both clubs with identical records of no wins, no losses and one draw to start the season in Italy’s second division.

The game began at a furious pace. Catanzaro’s forward Filippo Pittarello opened the scoring just five minutes into the contest, giving the home side an early advantage that aligned with statistical models. Interstat’s ELO system had given Catanzaro a 76.60 percent probability to win, and its game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw.

Modena responded before the half-hour mark. Shortly after Catanzaro defender Tommaso Cassandro received a yellow card in the 27th minute, Modena found the equalizer. A minute later, substitute Davide Adorni, who had just entered the match, scored to level the match at 1-1.

The first half continued to be eventful. Modena midfielder Simone Pontisso was shown a yellow card in the 34th minute. Catanzaro then regained the lead before halftime. In the 40th minute, midfielder Fabio Rispoli scored, assisted by Pontisso, making it 2-1 for the home side at the break.

The second half saw fewer clear chances but maintained tension. Modena substitute Fabio Gerli was booked in the 46th minute. As the match entered added time, Catanzaro appeared poised to secure a narrow victory that would have matched the simulator’s projected margin, if not the exact score.

However, Modena mounted one final attack. In the 95th minute, Mendes, another second-half substitution, found the net to secure a dramatic draw for the visitors. The assist was credited to Gerli.

The draw represented a resilient road performance for Modena, which twice came from behind to earn a point against a favored opponent. For Catanzaro, it was a case of two points dropped at home after holding a lead so deep into stoppage time. Both teams will continue their Serie B seasons looking to turn promising individual performances into a first victory.