BARQUISIMETO (Interstat) — Nestor Cova scored in the 67th minute and Lara made the only goal stand up in a 1-0 victory over Barquisimeto in a football match on Sunday. Lara improved to two wins and no losses in this competition, while Barquisimeto fell to no wins and two losses. The visitors’ decisive moment came midway through the second half, when Cova finished the only goal of the game. Barquisimeto could not answer before the final whistle, and Lara took the result as the away side.

Lara controlled the scoreboard despite the narrow margin and protected its lead after Cova’s breakthrough. The goal was Cova’s only scoring entry of the match, and his statline finished at 90 minutes and one goal. Barquisimeto pushed for an equalizer but was held scoreless. The home side’s best efforts did not produce a goal, and Lara closed out the result. The win gave Lara a second victory in the competition this season and kept the visiting side unbeaten in the competition.

Lara entered the match after a 4-1 win over Urena, a 2-0 win over Zamora II and a 3-2 loss at Rayo Zuliano. Those results were part of Lara’s recent competition run, and Lara held a broader record of three wins and one loss across all competitions after the match. Barquisimeto entered after a 1-1 draw at Yaracuyanos, a 2-3 loss at Yaracuyanos and a 1-4 home loss to Aragua. Barquisimeto’s overall record moved to no wins, three losses and one draw across all competitions. The home side remained without a win in the competition.

The match remained scoreless until the 67th minute, when Lara found the opening. Cova supplied the finish and Lara’s defense made the lead hold. Barquisimeto was unable to convert its possession into a goal, and the home crowd saw the visitors take the points. Lara’s competition record stayed perfect with two wins and no losses, while Barquisimeto dropped a second competition match. The result added to Lara’s improving form across all competitions.

Neither side found a goal before halftime, and the match stayed level into the second half. The only breakthrough came in the 67th minute, and Lara then focused on protecting the advantage. Barquisimeto increased its search for a response but could not break through. Cova’s goal remained the difference, and Lara took the away victory.

Barquisimeto had the home assignment but could not turn it into a first competition victory. Lara, listed as the visiting team, stayed compact after taking the lead and kept the home side from finding an equalizer. Cova’s goal in the 67th minute proved enough on a day when the match produced only one score. The visitors managed the closing stages without conceding, and the final whistle confirmed Lara’s second competition win of the season. Barquisimeto’s competition record stayed at no wins and two losses.

For Lara, the result followed the recent pattern of a side that had scored in each of its previous competition matches. The visitors had beaten Urena 4-1, beaten Zamora II 2-0 and lost at Rayo Zuliano 3-2 before Sunday. Against Barquisimeto, Lara needed only one goal and got it from Cova. Barquisimeto, meanwhile, continued a difficult run that included a draw at Yaracuyanos, a loss at Yaracuyanos and a home loss to Aragua. The home side’s overall record stood at no wins, three losses and one draw after the match.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Barquisimeto 2, Lara 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Barquisimeto with a 59.1 percent probability to win. Lara had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 went over the over-under line of 2.5.