CARTAGO, Costa Rica (Interstat) — Cartagines used an early goal from A. Hernandez and made it stand through a physical match to beat Olimpia 1-0 on Wednesday at Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza. The home side struck in the 14th minute when Manuel Moran set up Hernandez, and that goal proved enough in a game that changed after Olimpia was reduced to 10 men before halftime. Cartagines improved to 1-0 in this competition, while Olimpia dropped to 0-1. The victory gave Cartagines a clean sheet and handed Olimpia its first loss in the competition. The visitors could not convert their possession into a goal, and Cartagines’ back line held through the final stages.

Hernandez played the full match and scored the only goal. Moran also went the distance and recorded the assist. Cartagines’ decisive attacking moment came early, with Moran finding Hernandez for the breakthrough. After that, the hosts concentrated on protecting the lead and limiting Olimpia’s chances. Olimpia could not find an equalizer despite having spells of possession, and its night was complicated by discipline issues that left the visitors short-handed for most of the second half. Cartagines’ defense, protected by the early goal, held firm as the match grew more fragmented. Cartagines’ lead held through halftime and into the closing minutes. The assist was Moran’s contribution to the decisive sequence, and Hernandez’s finish remained the difference on the scoreboard.

Olimpia’s Arboleda Y. was booked in the 34th minute and then received a red card in the 39th, leaving the visitors with 10 men. The dismissal changed the shape and tempo of the match, forcing Olimpia to chase the game while Cartagines tried to manage the remaining time. Cartagines also had to navigate card trouble. Montero C. was cautioned in the 25th minute, Quiros J. in first-half stoppage time, Tepa in the 73rd and Mesen D. in the 89th. Olimpia’s Rodriguez E. was booked in the 25th, Arboleda in the 34th and Alvarez J. in the 75th. The yellow cards were plentiful, but the red card left Olimpia with the larger burden. Olimpia’s bench responded with substitutions, but the numerical disadvantage remained a factor.

Cartagines made substitutions in the 58th minute, bringing on fresh legs for Quiros and Montero, and added Morera G. M. and Barahona C. in the 72nd. Tepa came off in the 80th. Olimpia used its changes in the 69th, 70th and 80th minutes as it sought a response, with Jean-Baptiste J., Canales C., Enriquez I. and Benguche J. entering. The adjustments did not produce a goal, and Cartagines held on for the clean sheet. Olimpia’s overall record across all competitions now stands at 7 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws, while Cartagines is 3 wins and 1 loss. The substitutions allowed both sides to change their shape as the second half wore on.

The result added to Cartagines’ recent run in domestic play. Cartagines had beaten Saprissa 1-0 and Puntarenas FC 3-1 before a 3-1 loss at Sporting FC. Olimpia arrived with wins over Real Espana and Genesis, plus earlier victories over Independiente, Platense, Motagua, Juticalpa and UPNFM, but could not extend that form in Cartago. Olimpia’s overall record includes a 1-0 loss at Marathon, and the club had also drawn with Estrella Roja and Olancho earlier in the season. It had won two straight before the trip to Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza. Cartagines next faces Herediano. Olimpia will look to regroup after a match in which the early goal and the red card shaped the outcome. The game was decided by Hernandez’s finish and Cartagines’ ability to protect the advantage.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 final score. Interstat’s ELO system had given Olimpia a 50.9 percent probability to win. Cartagines had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5, and the total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.5.