TUNJA, Colombia (Interstat) — Chico defeated Bucaramanga 1-0 Friday at Estadio de La Independencia, using a 64th-minute goal from Alejandro Maya to secure the competition win. The home side protected the narrow lead through the closing stretch after a match that remained scoreless into the second half. Maya’s finish came from an Estiven Sarria assist and stood as the only goal of the game. Chico, playing at home, managed the final half-hour with a one-goal advantage and kept Bucaramanga from producing an equalizer. The result gave the home side a victory in a match that remained tight through the final whistle.

Bucaramanga was unable to convert its opportunities and was kept off the scoreboard. The visitors saw their competition record move to 0 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws, and their record across all competitions also stands at 0 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws. Bucaramanga’s previous results this season included a 1-1 draw with America De Cali and a 1-1 draw with Aguilas. The visitors made changes in the second half in an attempt to alter the match, but they were unable to find a finishing touch in the final third. Bucaramanga continued to press late, but the home defense held firm. Bucaramanga’s record in the competition and across all competitions remained identical after the result.

Chico improved to 1 win and 3 losses in the competition, and its record across all competitions is also 1 win and 3 losses. The home side had entered the match after a 0-2 loss at Pereira, a 1-4 loss to Atl. Nacional and a 0-1 loss to Cucuta. Chico’s latest result gave the club its first win of the competition and ended a difficult run of form. The goal from Maya was his key contribution in 70 minutes on the field, while Sarria played 75 minutes and recorded one assist. Maya and Sarria were among the central figures in the attacking sequence that produced the game’s decisive moment.

Maya’s goal in the 64th minute broke the deadlock. Sarria supplied the assist before both players were later substituted. Bucaramanga made the first substitution of the second half, with Gutierrez A. in the 46th minute. Hinestroza F., Fabry and Novoa D. followed in the 59th. Chico replaced Maya A. in the 70th minute, Sarria E. and Pimentel J. in the 75th, and Cardenas in the 84th. Castrillon N. was listed in a substitution for Bucaramanga in the 88th. The substitutions gave both sides fresh players during a tense closing period.

Discipline shaped parts of the match. Hinestroza F. of Bucaramanga received a yellow card in the 30th minute. Chico’s Cardenas was booked in the 61st minute, Diaz J. in the 84th and Camargo I. in the 90+1st minute. The cards added to a physical second half as Chico worked to preserve its advantage. Bucaramanga pushed for an equalizer but could not find a response. Chico’s defending late in the match limited the visitors and the home side held on for the shutout. The final whistle confirmed a narrow home victory.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Chico 1, Bucaramanga 1, while its ELO system gave Bucaramanga a 77.3 percent probability to win. Bucaramanga was installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.25.