Atletico Paranaense’s six shots on target earn 2-1 win over Bahia

Atletico Paranaense secure 2-1 win over Bahia

Atletico Paranaense defeated Bahia 2-1 at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba on Sunday, September 20, with the hosts holding on after a decisive second-half goal. The result came after a 1-1 half-time score in Serie A’s 28th round.

Esquivel opens the scoring

Atletico Paranaense took the lead in the 16th minute. Lucas Esquivel finished a move assisted by Kerwin Vargas, giving the home side an early advantage. Bahia responded 10 minutes later when Erick Pulga scored to level the match at 1-1.

The first half also brought bookings for Bahia’s Nicolas Acevedo and Atletico Paranaense’s Juan Aguirre and Arthur Dias. Both teams reached the interval with the score level, but Atletico made two changes at half-time, introducing Jorge Luis Rivaldo Pinto and Eduardo Kogitzki Anastacio for Leonardo Caetano Silva and Juan Aguirre.

Rivaldo restores the lead

Jorge Rivaldo put Atletico Paranaense back in front in the 69th minute, with Vargas supplying his second assist of the match. Rivaldo had entered at half-time and made an immediate impact, scoring the goal that ultimately decided the contest.

Bahia made three substitutions between the 64th and 73rd minutes, while Atletico later replaced Vargas with Bruno Zapelli in the 79th minute. Bahia had one final opportunity to equalise when Everaldo Stum missed a penalty in the 90th minute.

Atletico had the stronger attacking numbers

The statistics indicate a controlled performance from the home team. Atletico held 60% possession and completed 428 accurate passes from 495, compared with Bahia’s 454 accurate passes from 513 total. The hosts also led 11-10 in total shots, put six efforts on target to Bahia’s three, and won six corners to three.

The teams were level with eight shots inside the box each, so the narrow scoreline reflected a relatively even contest in the penalty areas. Atletico’s greater accuracy on target helped separate the sides, while Bahia’s missed penalty kept them from turning their late pressure into a point.

Discipline and league position

Jorge Rivaldo was booked in the 89th minute, and Atletico coach Odair Hellmann received a yellow card before being shown a red card in the 90th. Bahia also collected late cautions for Kauê Furquim and Rodrigo Nestor. The listed standings place Atletico Paranaense third with 49 points from 28 matches, while Bahia remain fifth with 46 points. Lucas Esquivel was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating after playing 90 minutes, scoring once and producing two key passes.