PARATY, Brazil (Interstat) — Barra Mansa scored in the opening minutes and again just before halftime, then answered Paraty’s second-half goal with a late clincher to secure a 3-1 victory in a football match. The visitors led from the 2nd minute, doubled their advantage in the 42nd, saw Paraty pull one back in the 79th and restored a two-goal margin in the 89th. Barra Mansa moved to 2 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw in the competition and across all competitions. Paraty dropped to 0 wins and 8 losses in the competition and across all competitions. The home side remained without a victory this season.

Barra Mansa set the tone early. The visitors scored in the 2nd minute, forcing Paraty to chase the match almost from the opening whistle. Barra Mansa protected that lead and added a second goal in the 42nd minute, a strike that changed the halftime approach for both sides. Paraty had difficulty sustaining attacks in the first half and went into the break trailing by two. Barra Mansa’s early pressure and ability to score before halftime gave the visitors control of the match. The home side tried to respond after the break, but Barra Mansa kept its shape and limited clear chances.

Paraty responded after halftime with a more aggressive approach. The home side pushed numbers forward and was rewarded in the 79th minute when it scored to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal gave Paraty renewed hope and created a tense closing stretch. Barra Mansa absorbed pressure and defended its narrow lead, then found a third goal in the 89th minute to end the home side’s comeback bid. The final goal came after Paraty had committed players forward in search of an equalizer. Barra Mansa’s late goal ensured the visitors would leave with the win and denied Paraty a chance to salvage a draw.

The result continued a difficult campaign for Paraty. The home side had entered the match after losses to Serra Macaense, Santa Cruz RJ, Cardoso Moreira, FC Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Paduano EC and 7 de Abril. Paraty’s season record in the competition remained at 0 wins and 8 losses, and its record across all competitions was identical. The home side’s goal in the 79th minute was its only score of the match, but it briefly gave Paraty a chance to take something from the game. Paraty’s previous results included a 6-2 loss at Serra Macaense, a 1-0 home loss to Santa Cruz RJ and a 6-1 loss at Cardoso Moreira. The home side also lost 4-0 to FC Rio de Janeiro, 3-2 at Buzios, 3-0 to Paduano EC and 1-0 at 7 de Abril.

Barra Mansa entered the match after a loss at Belford Roxo and a home loss to Serra Macaense. Earlier in the season, Barra Mansa had a scoreless draw at home against Cardoso Moreira, a home win over Buzios and losses at Santa Cruz RJ and FC Rio de Janeiro. The victory over Paraty gave Barra Mansa its second win of the competition and its second win across all competitions. The visitors scored three goals and held Paraty to one while improving their season record. Barra Mansa’s previous results included a 3-1 loss at Belford Roxo, a 1-0 home loss to Serra Macaense and a 1-0 loss at Santa Cruz RJ. The club also drew 0-0 at home with Cardoso Moreira, lost 2-0 at FC Rio de Janeiro and beat Buzios 1-0 at home.

Barra Mansa’s goals came in the 2nd, 42nd and 89th minutes. Paraty’s goal came in the 79th. The visitors led for most of the match, and Paraty’s only sustained threat came after its goal in the second half. Barra Mansa managed the final minutes and sealed the result with the last goal of the game. The closing goal ensured the visitors took all three points and left Paraty still searching for its first win. Barra Mansa finished with three goals for the match, while Paraty finished with one.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Paraty 2, Barra Mansa 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Paraty with an 80.3 percent probability to win. Those projections favored the home side before the match, but Barra Mansa’s early and late goals produced a different outcome.