CIUDAD DE FLORIDA, Uruguay (Interstat) — Lautaro Vazquez scored in the 16th minute and Boston River made that goal stand in a 1-0 victory over Defensor Sp. on Saturday at Estadio Campeones Olímpicos. Boston River controlled the only scoring moment of the match and held Defensor Sp. scoreless, improving its competition record to two wins, no losses and one draw. The result also moved Boston River to three wins, no losses and one draw across all competitions. Defensor Sp. remained without a win in the competition or across all competitions.

Defensor Sp. fell to no wins and three losses in the competition and no wins and three losses across all competitions. The visitor had entered the match after two narrow defeats, including a 3-2 loss at Albion and a 3-2 home loss to CA Cerro. Those results left Defensor Sp. still seeking its first point of the season, and the visit to Estadio Campeones Olímpicos did not provide the breakthrough. Boston River entered on a strong run that included a home win over River Plate, a road win at Wanderers and a scoreless home draw with Juventud. Boston River’s latest result added to its unbeaten start and kept Defensor Sp. searching for its first point of the season.

The decisive sequence came early. Vazquez finished the game’s only goal in the 16th minute, giving Boston River a lead it never surrendered. Vazquez played 63 minutes, scored once and was shown a yellow card. His goal proved enough because Defensor Sp. could not produce an equalizer despite later changes aimed at altering the match. Defensor Sp. made its first substitution at the start of the second half, when Biscayzacu X. entered. Further substitutions followed for the visitor, including De los Santos G. in the 70th minute, Agazzi L. and Barrios G. in the 80th, and Rodriguez G. in the 87th. The changes gave Defensor Sp. fresh legs, but the visitor could not turn possession into a goal.

Boston River’s bench also was used after the interval. Vazquez was replaced in the 63rd minute, Amado A. and Munoa F. came on in the 78th, and Fernandez I. and Bonfiglio F. entered in the 88th. The substitutions did not change the scoreline, as Boston River protected the narrow advantage through the closing stages. The home side leaned on its defense after taking the lead and kept Defensor Sp. from finding an answer.

Discipline became a major theme for the home side. Boston River received seven yellow cards, all of them after the opening goal. Gonzalez M. was booked in the 32nd minute, Vazquez L. in the 39th, Saravia Salvia R. A. in the 43rd, Acosta J. in the 45th, Fernandez I. in the 62nd, Saravia F. in the 72nd and Avenatti F. in the 90th. Defensor Sp. did not receive a yellow card in the match. Boston River still managed to keep the visitor off the scoreboard and secure the win.

The match remained a one-goal game into the final minutes. Boston River absorbed pressure and managed the closing period while dealing with the bookings. Defensor Sp. used its substitutions to push for a late equalizer, but the visiting side could not find a goal. The home side’s clean sheet was enough to preserve the victory. Avenatti’s booking in the 90th minute came as Boston River closed out the result. The result continued Boston River’s unbeaten run in the competition and extended Defensor Sp.’s difficult start.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Boston River 3, Defensor Sp. 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Boston River with a 91.3 percent probability to win. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.5.