PUERTO CABELLO, Venezuela (Interstat) — Puerto Cabello defeated Rayo Zuliano 3-1 on Wednesday at Complejo Deportivo Socialista, using a first-half breakthrough and a quick second-half goal to take control of the football match. The home side opened the scoring in the 20th minute and added another goal in the 30th minute before extending its lead in the 50th minute. Rayo Zuliano pulled one goal back in the 64th minute, but Puerto Cabello protected its advantage over the remainder of the game. The result gave Puerto Cabello its second win across all competitions this season and kept it unbeaten in the competition.

Edwuin Pernia scored Puerto Cabello’s first goal in the 20th minute. Puerto Cabello’s second goal arrived in the 30th minute. Angel Cassu scored the home side’s third goal in the 50th minute. Rayo Zuliano’s lone goal came in the 64th minute. The scoring sequence gave Puerto Cabello a 3-0 lead before Rayo Zuliano found a response. Pernia and Cassu were among the key performers for Puerto Cabello, with each player scoring once. Pernia’s goal came in the 20th minute, and Cassu’s goal came in the 50th minute. The home side also scored in the 30th minute. Rayo Zuliano’s goal in the 64th minute completed the scoring for the visitors. Puerto Cabello held the lead for the rest of the match.

Puerto Cabello took the lead through Pernia and never surrendered it. The second goal in the 30th minute gave the home side a two-goal cushion. Cassu’s goal in the 50th minute made the lead three goals. Rayo Zuliano’s goal in the 64th minute cut the deficit, but the visitors could not add another goal. The visitors had no further goals after the 64th minute. Puerto Cabello completed the win in front of its home supporters at Complejo Deportivo Socialista. The home side’s defense held firm after Rayo Zuliano’s goal and limited the visitors’ chances over the final stretch.

Rayo Zuliano’s record in the competition is now one win, one loss and one draw after three matches. Puerto Cabello’s record in the competition is now one win and no losses after one match. Across all competitions, Rayo Zuliano is now one win, three losses and one draw. Puerto Cabello is now two wins, no losses and one draw. The result continued Puerto Cabello’s unbeaten start across all competitions and handed Rayo Zuliano its third loss overall this season.

Rayo Zuliano entered the match after a 2-1 loss to Caracas, a 0-0 draw at Trujillanos, a 4-0 loss at Metropolitanos and a 3-2 win over Lara in its previous competition matches. Puerto Cabello had drawn 3-3 with Monagas and won 1-0 at Trujillanos in its previous competition matches. Rayo Zuliano’s competition record now includes one win, one loss and one draw after three matches. Puerto Cabello’s competition record stands at one win and no losses.

Puerto Cabello is scheduled to face Monagas next in the Primera División. The home side will carry the win into that match after scoring three goals against Rayo Zuliano. Rayo Zuliano will look to respond after conceding three times at Complejo Deportivo Socialista. The visitors scored once in the second half but could not build on that goal. Puerto Cabello remains unbeaten across all competitions, while Rayo Zuliano has one win, three losses and one draw overall.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Puerto Cabello 1, Rayo Zuliano 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Puerto Cabello with an 85.6 percent probability to win. The total score of 4 went under the over/under line of 2.75.