PARANÁ (Interstat) — Agropecuario defeated Patronato 2-0 on Sunday in a league match at Estadio Presbítero Bartolomé Grella in Paraná, Provincia de Entre Ríos, using a first-half goal from Juan Vega and a second-half strike from Braian Aranda to secure the result. Alejandro Gagliardi assisted both goals as Agropecuario moved to 2-2-1 in the competition and 2-2-1 across all competitions. Patronato fell to 2-3-1 in the competition and 2-3-1 across all competitions. The visitors scored twice and kept a clean sheet.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Vega finished a move set up by Gagliardi. Vega remained involved until he was replaced in the 72nd minute, when Agropecuario made a double change that also brought on R. Mosqueira. The goal gave Agropecuario a lead it protected through the rest of the first half. Patronato tried to respond before halftime but could not find an equalizer. The visitors took the one-goal advantage into the break and then added to it after halftime.

The match was physical early. F. Perez of Agropecuario and V. L. Pereyra of Patronato received yellow cards in the second minute. S. Gallucci was booked in the 16th, and F. Meritello of Patronato was cautioned in the 31st. Agropecuario made a halftime substitution involving S. Gallucci, and Patronato made a change involving A. Miro at the same point. Patronato then made a trio of changes in the 56th minute, introducing F. Soldano, H. Rivero and A. Picco. Agropecuario made its second and third substitutions in the 72nd minute, with Vega and Mosqueira involved.

Agropecuario doubled its lead in the 69th minute when Aranda scored, with Gagliardi providing his second assist of the match. Aranda, who played the entire match, scored the clincher. R. Castro of Agropecuario was booked in the 54th minute, and R. Reynaga of Patronato was cautioned in the 79th. Patronato made another change in the 73rd minute involving V. L. Pereyra, but Agropecuario held its shape and kept the home side from cutting into the deficit. The visitors managed the closing stages without conceding and finished with a two-goal margin. Patronato used five substitutions in total, and Agropecuario used three.

Agropecuario entered the match after a loss to Colegiales and a win at Quilmes, with a draw against Midland and a loss at Atletico Atlanta earlier in the season. Patronato had lost to Tristan Suarez after a home win over Club A. Guemes, a loss at Chacarita Juniors, a home win over San Martin S.J. and a draw at Nueva Chicago. The result gave Agropecuario a second win in the competition and a second win across all competitions, while Patronato remained on two wins in the competition and two wins across all competitions. Agropecuario has played five matches in the competition; Patronato has played six. Both sides remain in the early part of the campaign, with the competition record and overall record matching for each club.

Agropecuario’s defense protected the two-goal cushion through the final stages. Patronato pressed for a response but could not find a goal. Agropecuario managed the closing minutes with substitutions and held on for the shutout. The visitors’ two-goal victory marked their second win in the competition and their second win across all competitions. The result finished with Agropecuario ahead 2-0. The visitors finished with two goals, and Patronato finished with none at Estadio Presbítero Bartolomé Grella in Paraná, Provincia de Entre Ríos.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Agropecuario 1, Patronato 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Patronato with a 53.2 percent probability to win. Patronato had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5.