MONTEVIDEO (Interstat) — Federico Martinez scored twice inside the opening 14 minutes, and Liverpool M. defeated Juventud 2-0 on Sunday at Estadio Belvedere in Montevideo. Martinez opened the scoring in the 5th minute and doubled the lead in the 14th, giving the home side control before Juventud could settle into the match. Martinez played 88 minutes before being replaced, finishing with both goals in a performance that defined the contest. Liverpool M. protected the two-goal cushion through the second half and kept Juventud from scoring at Estadio Belvedere.

The match turned early. Martinez’s first goal arrived in the 5th minute, and his second came in the 14th, turning a tight opening into a comfortable lead for Liverpool M. Juventud tried to respond but was hit with the first yellow card of the match when Barrandeguy F. was booked in the 12th minute. Liverpool M.’s Cayetano A. was cautioned in the 25th minute, Juventud’s Roldan L. in the 30th and Liverpool M.’s Strasorier S. in the 35th. The first half ended with Liverpool M. ahead 2-0 and Juventud searching for a way back into the game.

The disciplinary pace continued after halftime. Juventud’s Pernicone P. was shown a yellow card in the 51st minute and again in the 72nd. Rabino R. of Juventud was booked in the 79th minute, Liverpool M.’s Laquidain S. in the 80th and Juventud received another yellow card in the 88th minute. The cards interrupted the flow of a match Liverpool M. controlled after its fast start, while Juventud could not find a goal to change the shape of the closing stages.

Both teams made use of their benches. Juventud made substitutions involving Rolon K. and Roldan L. in the 46th minute, and Liverpool M. made one involving Cayetano A. in the same minute. Juventud also made substitutions involving Pereiro G. in the 55th and Larregui B. in the 67th, while Liverpool M. made a substitution involving Degregorio R. M. in the 63rd. Liverpool M. made substitutions involving Bentancourt R. and Lewis K. in the 75th minute, and Juventud made one involving Barrandeguy F. in the 75th. Martinez was replaced by Liverpool M. in the 88th minute after his decisive contribution. The changes did not alter the scoreline.

The result moved Liverpool M. to four wins, no losses and one draw in the competition, and five wins, no losses and one draw across all competitions. Juventud’s competition record is now one win, two losses and two draws, while its record across all competitions is two wins, two losses and two draws. Juventud had entered after a 2-0 win at Nacional Florida and a 0-0 draw with Penarol, while Liverpool M. had beaten Nacional 1-0 and Cerro Largo 1-0 in its previous two matches. Liverpool M. remained unbeaten in the competition and kept a clean sheet at home.

Juventud’s recent run also included a 2-0 loss at Progreso, a 2-0 win over Racing Montevideo and a 0-0 draw at Boston River. Liverpool M. had drawn 1-1 at Maldonado and beaten Progreso 3-2 earlier in its schedule. Those results framed the match. Liverpool M. led after Martinez’s quick double, while Juventud’s attempts to reduce the deficit were limited by the booking sequence and the substitutions that followed. The home side continued to hold its advantage through the closing minutes.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Liverpool M. 1, Juventud 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Liverpool M. with a 76.9 percent probability to win. Liverpool M. had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 2.5.