Maracana EC edged out a narrow victory against Horizonte FC CE with a solitary second-half goal. The home team managed to find the back of the net at 1:32:38, delivering a crucial blow that Horizonte couldn't recover from. Statistically, Maracana EC had the slight edge with five corner kicks to Horizonte's four, showcasing a marginally more aggressive approach in the attacking third. This extra pressure helped them capitalize on set-piece opportunities, although the goal stemmed from open play.

Discipline played a significant role in this encounter, with a flurry of yellow cards indicating a highly contested match. Maracana’s six yellow cards were related to aggressive tactics needed to break Horizonte’s defensive structure. Horizonte received four cautions, reflecting their attempts to counteract Maracana's gameplay. While neither team saw a player dismissed, these numerous bookings might have impacted them tactically, discouraging risky challenges that might have otherwise altered the match dynamics.

The offseason battle was well-matched in terms of offsides, with both teams caught out once. This suggests a shared caution in pushing the last defensive line, opting for a strategic rather than a reckless approach to attack. Both teams will likely reflect on their need to maintain discipline while searching for that cutting edge in future fixtures. Overall, Maracana’s slight statistical edge in offensive pressure and their ability to convert that into a goal proved decisive, while Horizonte will rue their missed chance to capitalize on Maracana's disciplinary woes.

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