SAO PAULO (Interstat) — Corinthians U20 used a 58th-minute goal from Caragua to beat Guarani U20 1-0 in a match that turned on a red card just before halftime. Corinthians U20, the home side, held Guarani U20 scoreless and made the lone goal stand through the second half. Caragua, who played the full 90 minutes, scored the only goal of the game. Guarani U20 finished with no goals and could not answer after falling behind.

The decisive moment came in the 58th minute, when Caragua found the net for Corinthians U20. The goal followed a red card for Guarani U20 in the 45+4 minute, a sending-off that changed the shape of the match and forced the visitors to defend for long stretches. Corinthians U20 did not add another goal, but the home side controlled enough of the play to protect the advantage. Guarani U20, which had kept the game level through halftime, could not recover after conceding.

Guarani U20’s best chances came before the break, but the visiting side could not convert. After the red card, Guarani U20 sat deeper and looked to limit space. Corinthians U20 kept the ball and worked for openings, though the final ball was often missing. The only goal arrived in the second half, and Guarani U20 could not produce an equalizer. Corinthians U20’s back line held firm in the closing stages, and the home side saw out the win.

The result leaves Guarani U20 with 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw in the competition. Guarani U20 also has 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw across all competitions. Corinthians U20 is now 2 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws in the competition. Corinthians U20 also has 2 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws across all competitions.

Guarani U20 had little room to operate after the sending-off. The visitors dropped men behind the ball and tried to slow the game, while Corinthians U20 circulated possession and looked for space on the flanks. Corinthians U20’s pressure finally paid off in the 58th minute, and the home side then focused on game management. Guarani U20 made late attempts to push forward, but Corinthians U20 kept its shape and limited clear sights of goal. The home side protected the lead through the final stages. The final whistle confirmed a home win built on the one-goal margin and the first-half red card.

Corinthians U20 entered the match after a 2-2 draw at Guarani U20 in the most recent head-to-head meeting between the teams. Corinthians U20 also had a 6-1 home win over Portuguesa Santista U20 and a 0-0 draw at Portuguesa Santista U20 earlier this season. Guarani U20 had a 2-0 home win over Sfera U20, a 2-1 loss at Sfera U20 and a 4-1 home win over Uniao Suzano U20 before this match. The previous meeting between Corinthians U20 and Guarani U20 this season finished 2-2.

Caragua’s goal was the standout attacking contribution in a game short on clear scoring chances. Corinthians U20 finished with one goal, while Guarani U20 finished with none. The red card in first-half stoppage time was the key disciplinary moment, leaving Guarani U20 to play the second half a man down. Corinthians U20 took advantage with the goal in the 58th minute and then managed the remainder of the game. Guarani U20 pushed for a response but could not find a way through. The home side’s goal was enough to secure all three points.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Guarani U20 2, Corinthians U20 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Corinthians U20 with a 71.6 percent probability to win. Corinthians U20 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 1 went over the over-under line of 2.5.