MENDOZA (Interstat) — Ind. Rivadavia II built a three-goal lead and withstood a late San Martin S.J. II surge for a 3-2 home victory in a global football match on Wednesday.

Ind. Rivadavia II opened with intent and took the lead in the second minute. The home side doubled its advantage in the 27th minute, converting its early control into a two-goal cushion. San Martin S.J. II struggled to find a foothold before halftime and went into the break trailing 2-0. Ind. Rivadavia II’s pressure kept the visitors pinned back for long stretches, and San Martin S.J. II was unable to turn possession into a clear response before the interval. The visitors tried to work through the midfield and find space on the flanks, but Ind. Rivadavia II stayed compact and protected the central areas. San Martin S.J. II’s best moments came in transition, though the final pass eluded the visitors as the first half wore on. Ind. Rivadavia II, meanwhile, looked comfortable with its lead and continued to probe for openings without taking unnecessary risks.

The home team added a third goal in the 81st minute, seemingly putting the match beyond reach. San Martin S.J. II responded in the 85th minute to cut the deficit to 3-1. The visitors pushed again in the closing stages and scored a second goal in the third minute of stoppage time, but the final whistle came before they could complete the comeback. Ind. Rivadavia II managed the final moments by keeping the ball away from dangerous areas and limiting San Martin S.J. II to one last attacking thrust. The visitors’ late surge gave the closing minutes a frantic pace, with San Martin S.J. II sending more players forward in search of an equalizer. Ind. Rivadavia II dropped deeper to protect its lead, clearing several crosses and slowing the tempo when it could.

The result left San Martin S.J. II at 1-4 in the competition and 1-4 across all competitions. Ind. Rivadavia II improved to 2-1 in the competition and 2-1 across all competitions. Ind. Rivadavia II had entered after a 4-1 win at Colon Santa Fe II in its previous competition match. San Martin S.J. II had beaten Deportivo Riestra II 2-0 in its previous outing. The visitors had also lost to Belgrano II, Lanus II and Godoy Cruz II earlier in the campaign, while Ind. Rivadavia II had lost at Deportivo Riestra II before rebounding at Colon Santa Fe II. The win gave Ind. Rivadavia II its second competition victory of the season, while San Martin S.J. II remained on one win.

Ind. Rivadavia II’s early pressure produced the opening goal and set the tone for a first half in which San Martin S.J. II was forced to defend. The visitors were more active after the break, but the home side’s third goal restored a comfortable margin. San Martin S.J. II’s late goals made the scoreline tighter and created a tense finish, though Ind. Rivadavia II protected its advantage through the remaining minutes. The match ended with Ind. Rivadavia II ahead after a five-goal contest that swung late. The second half opened with San Martin S.J. II showing more urgency, but Ind. Rivadavia II’s third goal arrived before the visitors could build sustained momentum. San Martin S.J. II kept pressing after the 85th-minute goal and was rewarded again in stoppage time.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Ind. Rivadavia II 2, San Martin S.J. II 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Ind. Rivadavia II with a 72.1 percent probability to win. Ind. Rivadavia II had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 2.5.