PORTIMAO, Portugal (Interstat) — Portimonense U23 held off Maritimo U23 3-2 on Tuesday in a back-and-forth global football match that produced all five goals inside the first 36 minutes. Maritimo U23 opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, but Portimonense U23 answered in the 9th. The home side then moved ahead in the 21st minute. Maritimo U23 returned level in the 30th, and Portimonense U23 scored what proved to be the decisive goal in the 36th minute. The visitors pressed for another equalizer after the break, but the home side protected its one-goal advantage through the final whistle.

The result left Maritimo U23 with a season record of 1 win and 2 losses in this competition, matching its 1 win and 2 losses across all competitions. Portimonense U23 moved to 1 win, 2 losses and 1 draw in this competition and 1 win, 2 losses and 1 draw across all competitions. The hosts’ scoring came in a compact first-half burst after Maritimo U23 had opened the scoring. Portimonense U23’s equalizer arrived in the 9th minute, and the hosts took their first lead 12 minutes later. Maritimo U23 responded before the break, but Portimonense U23 found the final answer in the 36th minute. The second half produced no further goals, allowing Portimonense U23 to close out the win.

The scoring began early when Maritimo U23 found the net in the 3rd minute. Portimonense U23 needed six minutes to respond, and the hosts added another goal in the 21st. Maritimo U23’s second goal in the 30th made it 2-2, but Portimonense U23 regained the lead six minutes later. That sequence gave the home side a 3-2 halftime advantage. The second half was quieter on the scoreboard, with Portimonense U23 managing the lead and Maritimo U23 unable to produce a third goal.

Maritimo U23 had entered the match after a home loss to Famalicao U23 and a win at Braga U23. Portimonense U23 had entered after a loss at Rio Ave U23, a home loss to Academico Viseu U23 and a scoreless draw at Santa Clara U23. Famalicao U23 beat Maritimo U23 1-0, while Maritimo U23 won 3-1 at Braga U23. Portimonense U23 lost 4-0 at Rio Ave U23, fell 2-1 at home to Academico Viseu U23 and drew 0-0 at Santa Clara U23. The home side’s latest result followed a difficult stretch and gave Portimonense U23 its first win in this competition. Maritimo U23 remained with one win in the competition after failing to build on its road victory at Braga U23. Portimonense U23 had not scored in two of its previous three matches before Tuesday’s five-goal output. Maritimo U23 had scored three goals in its prior win at Braga U23.

The match turned on the quick exchanges in the first half. Maritimo U23 struck first through its early goal, but Portimonense U23 replied six minutes later. The hosts went in front with another goal in the 21st minute, only for Maritimo U23 to pull level in the 30th. Portimonense U23 then produced the decisive finish in the 36th minute. Neither side scored after the break, leaving the home side with the narrow win. Portimonense U23’s defense held firm over the closing stages, while Maritimo U23 could not find a third goal. The home side preserved its advantage over the remaining minutes and took the win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Portimonense U23 1, Maritimo U23 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Maritimo U23 with a 54.6 percent probability to win. Portimonense U23 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 2.5.