Match Report
7 points and 1 places separated them: Maringá 1st with 32, Portuguesa RJ 2nd with 25. Portuguesa RJ's recent output lagged their position: 7th on form over five rounds while 2nd in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Maringá 1.79 scored and 0.71 conceded per game, Portuguesa RJ 1.29 and 0.43, with the league averaging 1.12.
Momentum sat with Maringá, winners of their last five, having scored in 15 consecutive games.
Estádio Regional Willie Davids staged the fixture, a ground that holds 21,600. Maringá led 2-1 at the break, and the second half added 1 goal for the 3-1 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Maringá: Júlio Rodrigues (45'), Lucas Black (45'), Iago Santana (50') · Portuguesa RJ: Hernane (12')
Key stats
Possession: Maringá 63% · Portuguesa RJ 37% · Total shots: 24-4 · On target: 14-2 · Corners: 4-2