ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra (Interstat) — Mario Sauer scored twice, with his final goal arriving in the first minute of stoppage time, and Slovakia U21 defeated Andorra U21 2-1 in an Under-21 international. The result gave the visiting side a narrow win after a tense, card-filled match. Slovakia U21 scored two goals in total, while Andorra U21 scored once. The victory allowed Slovakia U21 to recover from a scoreless previous outing and claim its first win of the competition.

The first half produced no goals and one booking. Andorra U21’s Acosta was cautioned in the 16th minute, the only yellow card before the break. Both sides struggled to create a clear chance, and the match remained scoreless at halftime. Slovakia U21 and Andorra U21 traded possession without finding the final pass in the opening period.

The second half opened with more urgency. Carrau of Andorra U21 was booked in the 52nd minute, and Slovakia U21’s Marcelli was cautioned in the 59th. Andorra U21’s Sola received a yellow card in the 61st. Andorra U21 then broke through in the 74th minute when Gerard Sola scored. Yedid Prinetti provided the assist on Sola’s goal, which gave the home side a late lead.

Slovakia U21 answered in the closing stages. Mario Sauer scored twice for the visitors, and his strike in the first minute of stoppage time completed the comeback. Filip Trello recorded an assist for Slovakia U21 and was later booked in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The late goals changed the match after Andorra U21 had held the advantage.

The match grew increasingly physical as time ran down. Rente of Andorra U21 was booked in the 85th minute. Linares Boutarfas of Andorra U21 was cautioned in the first minute of stoppage time, and Vieira of Andorra U21 was booked in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Slovakia U21’s Trello also received a yellow card in the fourth minute of stoppage time. In all, the contest featured eight yellow cards, including four after the 85th minute.

Substitutions shaped the final stages. Slovakia U21 made a change in the 69th minute with Maros, then brought on Mikulaj and Gajdos in the 77th. Marcelli was substituted in the 86th. Andorra U21 used Carrau in the 75th minute, Miranda in the 83rd, and Sola in the 90th. The adjustments came as both sides searched for control in a match that remained close into stoppage time.

Sauer’s two-goal effort led Slovakia U21. Prinetti recorded an assist for Andorra U21, while Sola scored and was booked. Trello contributed an assist and received a late caution. Slovakia U21 now has one win, no losses and one draw in the competition, and the same record across all competitions. Andorra U21 is without a win in the competition, holding one loss and one draw, matching its overall record.

Slovakia U21’s previous competition result was a scoreless draw against England U21. Andorra U21’s previous competition match was also a scoreless draw, against Moldova U21. Both teams entered the match after defensive displays that ended without a goal. The victory continued Slovakia U21’s solid start, while Andorra U21 remained in search of its first win.

The late bookings added to the drama of a match that had already seen a late goal and a stoppage-time response. Slovakia U21’s ability to score twice in the closing phase made the difference. The home side had the lead after Sola’s 74th-minute goal, but could not hold it. Slovakia U21’s persistence paid off in stoppage time.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Andorra U21 1, Slovakia U21 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Andorra U21 with a 65.3 percent probability to win.