MONTEVIDEO (Interstat) — Federico Martinez scored in the 73rd minute and Liverpool M. made the lone goal stand in a 1-0 victory over visiting Penarol at Estadio Belvedere. Liverpool M. protected the narrow advantage through the closing minutes after Martinez’s breakthrough, while Penarol could not find an equalizer. The match grew increasingly physical after halftime, with fouls interrupting the flow and both teams using substitutions to adjust. Liverpool M. improved to 2-0-1 in the competition and 2-0-1 across all competitions. Penarol moved to 1-1-1 in the competition and 1-1-1 across all competitions. The result kept Liverpool M. unbeaten in the competition and left Penarol still searching for consistency in the early part of its schedule. Penarol was the visiting team.

Martinez, who played the full 90 minutes, provided the decisive moment when he scored for Liverpool M. in the 73rd minute. The goal broke a scoreless deadlock and proved enough for the home side. Penarol received six yellow cards to Liverpool M.’s four. Jesus Trindade was booked for Penarol in the 13th minute, and Lemos M. followed in the 32nd. Trindade was booked again in first-half stoppage time. Liverpool M.’s Castillo E. was cautioned in the 26th minute. After halftime, Remedi E. was booked for Penarol in the 49th, Lewis K. for Liverpool M. in the 63rd, Pezzella G. for Penarol in the 79th, Garayalde N. for Liverpool M. in the 84th, Milano S. for Liverpool M. in the 88th and Darias E. for Penarol in the 90th. The cards reflected a match that became more fragmented as time wore on, though Liverpool M. retained its composure long enough to secure the win. The goal was the only score of the game.

Penarol made a halftime substitution involving Lemos M. Liverpool M. made changes in the 65th minute involving Machado R. and Lewis K., another in the 72nd involving Degregorio R. M., and two more in the 87th involving Acosta L. and Garayalde N. Penarol made three substitutions in the 75th minute involving Arezo M., Jaime C. and Cabrera J., plus one in the 87th involving Remedi E. The closing stretch included additional yellow cards and stoppages, but Liverpool M. maintained its one-goal lead. Liverpool M. entered the match after a draw at Maldonado and a home win over Progreso. Penarol entered after a draw with Progreso and a win at Racing Montevideo. Liverpool M. next plays Cerro Largo in Copa Uruguay. The result left Liverpool M. unbeaten in the competition and Penarol with one win, one loss and one draw in the competition. Both teams carry the same respective records across all competitions.

Liverpool M. and Penarol each have played three competition matches. Liverpool M. is 2-0-1 in the competition and 2-0-1 across all competitions. Penarol is 1-1-1 in the competition and 1-1-1 across all competitions. Liverpool M. entered the match after a draw at Maldonado and a home win over Progreso. Penarol entered after a draw with Progreso and a win at Racing Montevideo. Liverpool M. is scheduled to host Cerro Largo in Copa Uruguay next. Liverpool M. has two wins and one draw in the competition. Penarol has one win, one loss and one draw in the competition. Both records also apply across all competitions. Liverpool M. has not lost in the competition or across all competitions.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Penarol 2, Liverpool M. 1, and its ELO system gave Penarol a 74.3 percent probability to win. Penarol was installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.5.