PARAGUARI, Paraguay (Interstat) — Paraguari AC scored once after halftime and again in stoppage time to defeat Fernando de la Mora 2-0 at home on Tuesday, improving to 2-0 in the competition and across all competitions while the visitors fell to 0-2 in both. Roland Escobar broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, and Jose Ayala added the second goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Paraguari AC protected its lead after the first goal and kept Fernando de la Mora from finding an equalizer. The home side’s second goal arrived late and closed out a result that left the visitors still searching for their first win of the season. Paraguari AC finished the match with the clean sheet and the full reward.

The match was scoreless through the first half before Escobar’s goal changed the contest. Fernando de la Mora was forced to push forward in search of a response, but Paraguari AC held its shape and limited the visitors’ best chances. Ayala’s finish in the third minute of second-half stoppage time completed the scoring and ensured the home side would take all three points. Paraguari AC’s competition record now stands at 2 wins and 0 losses, and its record across all competitions is also 2 wins and 0 losses. Fernando de la Mora’s competition record is 0 wins and 2 losses, matching its all-competitions mark. The visitors could not produce a goal despite needing one to get back into the match, and their attempts to respond after the first goal did not produce a breakthrough.

Escobar and Ayala were the key performers in the victory. Escobar played the full 90 minutes and scored once, and Ayala also played the full 90 minutes and scored once. Their goals came in sequence for Paraguari AC, with Escobar opening the scoring in the second half and Ayala providing the final margin in stoppage time. The contributions were enough to separate the sides on a night when Fernando de la Mora could not convert its opportunities. The visitors remained without a goal in the match and were unable to build on their previous attacking display in the competition. Fernando de la Mora could not answer either goal.

Fernando de la Mora had opened its competition schedule with a 3-2 loss at 3 de Noviembre, and it remained winless after the trip to Paraguari AC. Paraguari AC had begun its competition campaign with a 4-2 win at Tacuary and followed that result with a home victory. The two results left the clubs moving in opposite directions early in the season, with Paraguari AC unbeaten and Fernando de la Mora still seeking its first positive result. Paraguari AC is next scheduled to play at Independiente FBC in Division Intermedia competition. Fernando de la Mora will continue looking for its first win across all competitions. Paraguari AC’s home victory added to its strong start in the competition.

Paraguari AC’s defense preserved the shutout after Escobar gave the home side the lead. Fernando de la Mora had spells of possession but could not turn them into a goal, and the visitors’ best efforts were kept out. Ayala’s late goal gave Paraguari AC breathing room and capped a performance that produced the needed goals in the second half. The home side’s record in this competition improved to 2 wins and 0 losses, and its overall record matched that mark. Fernando de la Mora’s record in this competition dropped to 0 wins and 2 losses, with its all-competitions record also at 0 wins and 2 losses. The final whistle confirmed Paraguari AC’s second victory in as many competition matches. Paraguari AC closed the match without conceding.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Paraguari AC 3, Fernando de la Mora 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Paraguari AC with a 75.6 percent probability to win. Fernando de la Mora had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The pregame figures placed the visitors as the favorite despite the eventual home victory.