PONTA GROSSA (Interstat) — Caio Dantas scored in the 29th minute and Operario-PR made that goal stand in a 1-0 home victory over Athletic Club in a global football match on Friday at Estádio Germano Krüger in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Dudu Mosconi provided the assist on the only goal of the game, and Athletic Club could not find an equalizer despite pressing late. The visitors finished the match with 10 men after a red card in stoppage time. Operario-PR led 1-0 at halftime and protected the advantage through a contentious second half. The home side held its line during a long closing sequence that included several cards and substitutions.

The result left Operario-PR with 1 win and 2 losses in the competition, matching its record across all competitions. Athletic Club is now 0 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws in the competition, also matching its overall record. Athletic Club entered the match after a scoreless draw at Avai and a home draw against Londrina. Operario-PR had lost at America MG and at home to Goias in its previous two matches. The home side’s latest result gave it its first win in the competition and handed Athletic Club another draw in a season that has yet to produce a victory.

Operario-PR found the breakthrough midway through the first half when Dantas finished the move set up by Mosconi. Dantas was on the field for 83 minutes and scored the game’s only goal before being substituted. Mosconi played 67 minutes and recorded the assist before he was replaced. Operario-PR defended its narrow lead with discipline for much of the match, while Athletic Club struggled to turn possession into clear chances. The home side’s advantage remained 1-0 into the final stages, and Athletic Club increased its pressure as time wound down. Operario-PR’s back line and midfield absorbed that pressure without conceding. Athletic Club remained scoreless despite its late pressure.

The match became increasingly heated after the goal. Brenno Pereira of Operario-PR was booked in the 12th minute. Athletic Club’s Jhonatan Silva received a yellow card in the 45th minute. The late stages produced a series of cautions: Andre of Operario-PR in the 90th minute, Aponza W. of Athletic Club in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Pereira H. of Operario-PR in the 11th minute of stoppage time and Belezi of Athletic Club in the 14th minute of stoppage time. Jhonatan Silva was sent off in the eighth minute of stoppage time after a second yellow card, leaving Athletic Club to finish with 10 men. The red card ended the visitors’ hopes of a late equalizer and forced Athletic Club to reorganize for the final moments. The cards came in quick succession as the match neared its conclusion.

Both teams used substitutions to alter the match. Athletic Club made three changes at halftime, with Zeca, Vera D. and Pedro Oliveira entering. Felipe Negrucci followed in the 64th minute, and Diogo Batista came on in the 81st. Operario-PR made a substitution involving Mosconi in the 67th minute, then brought on Maguinho and Moraes in the 77th. The home side also made changes involving Dantas and Brenno Pereira in the 83rd minute, after Dantas had given it the lead. The substitutions helped Operario-PR see out the closing stages amid a long period of stoppage time. Athletic Club’s changes could not produce a goal, and Operario-PR held on for the home win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Operario-PR 1, Athletic Club 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Operario-PR with a 72.6 percent probability to win. Operario-PR 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.