VILNIUS (Interstat) — Vakaris Berenta scored in the 43rd minute and Daumantas Braskys added a goal in the 78th as Zalgiris U19 defeated Thor Akureyri U19 2-0 on Wednesday in a U19 football match. The home side controlled the scoreboard despite a chippy contest that produced seven yellow cards and a series of substitutions after the break. Zalgiris U19 improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-0 across all competitions, while Thor Akureyri U19 fell to 0-1 in the competition and 0-1 across all competitions. The result gave the home side a winning start and left the visiting club still searching for its first win of the campaign.

Berenta gave Zalgiris the lead late in the first half, finishing in the 43rd minute to break a stubborn deadlock. The goal came after Thor Akureyri had picked up the game’s first caution, with Biering booked in the 12th minute. Until that point, the match had been short on scoring but not on physical play. Berenta’s strike changed the shape of the match, forcing the visitors to chase an equalizer after halftime. Thor Akureyri made its first substitution in the 54th minute, when Biering was involved in a change. Zalgiris responded with a double switch in the 61st minute, as Grigaliunas and Bruzga entered the match. Berenta was shown a yellow card in the 61st minute, shortly after his goal, and the match grew more physical as the second half wore on. Berenta finished the game with 83 minutes played, one goal and one yellow card.

Thor Akureyri’s efforts to find a response were met with further bookings and more changes. Sveinsson was cautioned in the 66th minute, and Helgason followed in the 67th. Thor Akureyri then made a double substitution in the 72nd minute involving Sveinsson and Svavarsson. Zalgiris made a double change of its own in the 73rd minute, with Velicka and Sumkauskas entering. The hosts kept their composure and found the clinching goal in the 78th minute, when Braskys scored. Braskys, who played 29 minutes, made his limited time count with the second goal. His finish gave Zalgiris a two-goal cushion and left Thor Akureyri needing a rapid turnaround. Berenta, who played 83 minutes, finished with a goal and a yellow card. The visitors continued to press for a goal, but Zalgiris’ back line held firm.

The closing stages brought more discipline issues. Chrustaliov of Zalgiris was booked in the 86th minute, and Stefansson of Thor Akureyri was cautioned in the same minute. Both teams made substitutions in the 83rd minute, with Berenta coming out for Zalgiris and Jonsson and Vidarsson entering for Thor Akureyri. Axelsson was booked for Thor Akureyri in the third minute of stoppage time. Zalgiris protected its two-goal advantage through the final whistle, while Thor Akureyri finished the match without a goal. The visitors’ record in the competition moved to 0-1, and their overall record also stood at 0-1. Zalgiris’ clean sheet and timely scoring proved enough on the night. The home team’s victory kept its competition record at 1-0 and its overall record at 1-0. The match featured seven yellow cards in total, with Thor Akureyri U19 receiving five and Zalgiris U19 receiving two. The bookings began in the 12th minute and continued into stoppage time, underscoring the competitive nature of the contest. Zalgiris U19’s defense did not allow a goal, and the home side’s two goals came from Berenta and Braskys. Berenta’s goal arrived in the 43rd minute, while Braskys sealed the result in the 78th. The victory gave Zalgiris U19 a clean sheet and a winning start, while Thor Akureyri U19 remained without a goal or a win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Zalgiris U19 1, Thor Akureyri U19 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Zalgiris U19 with a 65.3 percent probability to win. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 4.5.