MONTEVIDEO (Interstat) — Federico Martinez scored in the 32nd minute and Liverpool M. protected that narrow advantage for a 1-0 victory over Nacional at Estadio Gran Parque Central on Sunday in a global football game. Martinez, whose statline read 84 minutes and one goal, struck midway through the first half for the visiting side. The goal proved decisive. Nacional, playing at home, could not produce an equalizer after falling behind. Liverpool M. improved to 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw in the competition and to 4 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw across all competitions. Nacional dropped to 3 wins, 1 loss in the competition and 4 wins, 1 loss across all competitions. The result kept Liverpool M.’s unbeaten start intact and ended Nacional’s run of four straight wins. Liverpool M. took the lead on Martinez’s finish and then managed the remainder of the match with the advantage.

The first half changed complexion after Martinez’s goal. The match grew physical soon afterward. Liverpool M.’s Milano S. was booked in the 35th minute, and Nacional’s Correa T. followed in the 36th. Nacional made an early change in the 34th minute when Rodriguez L. entered, and another at halftime when Gonzalez L. came on. Nacional’s early substitution came before the half-hour mark, a sign the home side sought a quick change in momentum. Liverpool M. made its first substitution in the 56th minute, bringing on Degregorio R. M. The visitors held the lead through the interval and continued to absorb pressure as Nacional searched for a response. Liverpool M. kept its shape after the break despite the cautions.

Nacional continued to chase the game after the break. Boggio L. was booked in the 70th minute, and Viera T. followed in the 72nd. Liverpool M.’s Bentancourt R. was cautioned in the 61st minute, Romero D. in the 75th and Garayalde N. in the 79th. Bentancourt R.’s caution came just after the hour as the contest remained tight. The substitutions continued on both sides. Nacional brought on Candido C. in the 63rd minute, then replaced Correa and Boggio in the 77th. Liverpool M. replaced Milano in the 76th minute, then removed Martinez along with Acosta L. and Lewis K. in the 84th minute. The changes did not alter the score, and Liverpool M. remained organized in defense as the clock moved toward full time.

The closing stages brought more discipline from the referee. Liverpool M.’s Strasorier S. was booked in the 90th minute plus one, and Nacional’s Gomez M. followed in the 90th minute plus two. The final minutes were marked by a flurry of bookings as the home side pushed for a late equalizer and Liverpool M. worked to run out the clock. The teams combined for nine yellow cards, five for Liverpool M. and four for Nacional. The final whistle confirmed a road win for Liverpool M. in a match that had been expected to favor Nacional. Liverpool M. entered after a 1-0 win over Cerro Largo, a 1-0 win over Penarol, a 1-1 draw at Maldonado and a 3-2 win over Progreso. Nacional had entered after a 3-2 win over Maldonado, a 3-0 win over Rentistas, a 1-0 win at Central Esp. and a 2-0 win over Montevideo City but could not add another result to that run.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Nacional 2, Liverpool M. 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Nacional with a 88.6 percent probability to win. Nacional 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.