Athletico Paranaense seize opening-day win with early Mendoza strike | OneFootball

Athletico Paranaense beat Internacional 1-0 in Porto Alegre to start the Brasileirão with three points, with an early Stiven Mendoza strike and a late VAR check proving decisive.

Mendoza struck in the ninth minute, guiding a right-footed finish from the centre after Kevin Viveros teed him up.

Santos kept Inter at bay with five saves as the hosts pressed, denying Alan Patrick twice and blocking Rafael Borre from close range late on.

After the restart, Johan Carbonero's introduction added thrust down the right for Inter, with his late efforts from inside the box blocked as pressure mounted.

Félix Torres briefly thought he had levelled, but his effort was overturned by VAR for handball (77.).

There were treatment stoppages for Viveros in both halves, and seven minutes of second half stoppage time were indicated.

Inter registered 19 attempts, 13 corners and 71.3% possession. Furacão made 35 clearances and produced six efforts, two on target.

Inter sit in the relegation places after matchday one. Furacão occupy the Copa Libertadores berths. Next, Inter visit Caxias in the Gaúcho, while Furacão host Foz Iguaçu in the Paranaense.