RECIFE (Interstat) — Santa Cruz U20 scored twice in the first half and held on for a 2-1 victory over Sao Raimundo RR U20 at Estádio Jóse do Rego Maciel. The match was played Wednesday. The home team struck early, built a two-goal cushion before the break and then absorbed pressure after Sao Raimundo RR U20 pulled one back in the second half. Santa Cruz U20 improved to 2-0 in this competition and 5-0 across all competitions. Sao Raimundo RR U20 moved to 1-1 in this competition and 1-1 across all competitions. The match was played in Recife, Brazil. Santa Cruz U20 has started the season with five wins from five matches.

Leo Carvalho opened the scoring in the 8th minute, giving Santa Cruz U20 an early lead. Anderson Isaias made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute. Both Carvalho and Isaias played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal each. Santa Cruz U20 did not add to its lead after halftime. Carvalho scored the first goal, and Isaias scored the second. The home side carried a 2-0 advantage into the second half.

Sao Raimundo RR U20 responded in the 64th minute, scoring to cut the deficit to 2-1. The visiting team then pushed for an equalizer, but Santa Cruz U20 held firm in the closing stages. The goal forced Santa Cruz U20 to defend with discipline. The home side kept its composure and prevented the visitors from finding a second goal. The final whistle ended the match with Santa Cruz U20 ahead 2-1.

Santa Cruz U20 entered the match after wins over America PE U20, CSA U20, Ibis Sport Club U20 and Atletico PE U20. Those results included a 2-1 road win against America PE U20, a 1-0 road win against CSA U20, a 7-0 home win over Ibis Sport Club U20 and an 8-0 road win against Atletico PE U20. The club’s overall record now stands at 5-0, while its competition record is 2-0. Santa Cruz U20 has won each of its five matches across all competitions.

Sao Raimundo RR U20 had opened its season with a 4-3 home win over Nacional-AM U20. That result had given the visitors a 1-0 record before the trip to Recife. After the loss to Santa Cruz U20, Sao Raimundo RR U20 is 1-1 in this competition and 1-1 across all competitions. The team’s previous result was a high-scoring victory, but it could not produce a second straight win against Santa Cruz U20. The visitors remained within one goal for much of the second half but could not complete the comeback.

Santa Cruz U20 next hosts Petrolina U20 in the Pernambucano U20 competition. The match at Estádio Jóse do Rego Maciel was the latest for Santa Cruz U20 in a season that has produced five wins across all competitions. Sao Raimundo RR U20 now holds a 1-1 record in this competition and a 1-1 record across all competitions. The contest featured three goals, with two coming in the opening 22 minutes and the third arriving in the 64th minute. The home side scored both of its goals before halftime. Santa Cruz U20 remains unbeaten in the competition. Sao Raimundo RR U20 will look to respond in its next match.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Santa Cruz U20 3, Sao Raimundo RR U20 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Santa Cruz U20 with a 92.4 percent probability to win. Santa Cruz U20 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 3 went under the over-under line of 2.5.