Athletico won the Maringá 2–0 at Willie Davids, in match valid for the first game of the matata's homecoming on Saturday night (18). Hurricane opened the score with an Erick goal at 26 minutes of the second half, and expanded the advantage in additions with a goal from Alex Santana.
The game was well played from the beginning, with Athletico dominating the actions and creating several goal opportunities, but failing in the finalizations. Maringá managed to balance the match and tried to surprise Hurricane with left-wing moves, but failed to conclude successfully.
In the second half, Maringá returned more offensive, but Athletico was taking over the game gradually. At 26 minutes, Victor Roque fired Cannobio, who kicked hard for Dheimison to make the defense, but the ball left for Erick to send a bomb and open the score for Hurricane.
Soon after, Vitor Roque played a ball in the area with the goalkeeper Maringá, asking for a penalty, which was initially denied by arbitration, but granted after consulting the VAR. In charge, Cuello wasted the chance to expand the advantage.
At the end of the match, in Vitor Roque's new move, the attacker rolled to Alex Santana, who kicked in the corner and decreed a 2–0 win for Athletico. With this result, Hurricane can lose by a goal of difference that still ranks for the final. Maringá must win by two goals of difference to take the game to the penalty.
The next game between the two teams will be on Sunday (26), at 16h, for the match back from the semifinal of Paranaense, in Arena da Baixada.
