Decisive figure drives Athletico Paranaense past Chapecoense | OneFootball

Stiven Mendoza settled the contest in the 57th minute with a left-footed finish, guiding Athletico Paranaense to a 2-0 win over Chapecoense.

He threatened early, glancing a header over from Julimar's cross (14.). He then forced Rafael Santos into a save with a rising strike from the right side of the box (31.).

After the restart the Colombia international turned provider, whipping a cross that Bruninho met and forced another stop (50.). He supplied the same team-mate again for a further effort moments later (53.).

The breakthrough arrived as he drifted into the centre of the area and lashed into the top left (57.). Managed carefully late on, he made way to applause (86.).

Mendoza's end product matched the eye test: three attempts, two on target, plus two chances created and 13 successful final third passes, which kept Athletico-PR on the front foot against Chape.

Because he repeatedly attacked space between centre-back and full-back, his combinations down the right drew markers and opened lanes, ensuring Furacão controlled territory in the decisive phases.

Furacão rise from sixth to fifth and visit Palmeiras next. Verdão do Oeste host Botafogo.