SALVADOR (Interstat) — Flamengo RJ scored all three goals after a tight first half and defeated Bahia 3-0 at Casa de Apostas Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, on Sunday. The visiting side improved to 1-0 in the competition and 2-0-2 across all competitions, while Bahia fell to 0-1 in the competition and 1-2 across all competitions. Flamengo controlled the match without needing a frantic start, and Bahia could not find a response after the visitors found their finishing touch in the second half.

The decisive portion came after the 70th minute. Jorginho’s 90-minute performance included a goal as Flamengo completed a three-goal road win. Gonzalo Plata opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, and Lucas Paqueta doubled the advantage in the 78th. Plata played all 90 minutes and scored once, while Paqueta needed only 22 minutes to record his goal. Guillermo Varela played the full match and supplied an assist, and Samuel Lino recorded an assist over 75 minutes before being substituted. The listed goals arrived five minutes apart, turning a scoreless match into a two-goal Flamengo lead, and Jorginho’s goal completed a three-goal output.

Flamengo’s attacking balance stretched Bahia throughout the second half. Jorginho’s full 90 minutes and goal gave the visitors a steady presence in midfield, while Plata’s full-match work on the flank produced the breakthrough. Paqueta’s contribution off the bench added another scoring option. Varela’s assist and Lino’s assist reflected Flamengo’s ability to create from wide areas and through midfield. Bahia’s substitutions in the 65th and 75th minutes were aimed at changing the match, but Flamengo’s defensive shape held and the visitors protected their lead.

Discipline shaped parts of the contest. Flamengo’s E. Pulgar was shown a yellow card in the third minute. Bahia’s C. Olivera was booked in the 41st, and Flamengo’s Leo Pereira received a yellow card in the 48th. Bahia’s Jean Lucas was cautioned in the 51st. Late bookings followed for Bahia’s M. Moreno in the 86th and R. Gomez in the 89th. The cards added interruptions to a match that Flamengo ultimately controlled after halftime.

Bahia made a three-player substitution in the 65th minute involving Olivera C., Nicolas Acevedo and Marcos Victor. Bahia used further changes in the 75th minute with Rodrigo and Erick Pulga. Flamengo introduced Carrascal J. in the 68th, took off Samuel Lino in the 75th, brought on Pedro in the 76th and made changes involving Pulgar E. and Leo Ortiz in the 83rd. The substitutions did not change the direction of the match, as Flamengo maintained its lead and added to it during the second half.

Flamengo entered the match after a scoreless draw with Estudiantes L.P. and a 2-2 draw at Santos, with a 1-0 home win over Fluminense also among its recent results. Bahia had beaten Mirassol 1-0 at home before falling 1-0 at Palmeiras. The recent form gave both sides different momentum, but Flamengo’s finishing and defensive control proved decisive in Salvador. Bahia could not build on its home setting, and Flamengo secured a clean sheet to go with its three-goal output. The result marked Flamengo’s second win across all competitions this season and kept Bahia on one win overall. Bahia finished without a goal at home.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Flamengo RJ 2, Bahia 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Flamengo RJ with a 62.7 percent probability to win. Flamengo RJ had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5. The visitors’ three-goal output finished above the projected total.