ORLANDO, Fla. – Estudiantes de la Plata took a 1-0 victory against Clube Esporte Bahia on Sunday evening in the final game of the 2017 Florida Cup Challenge at Bright House Networks Stadium. An own goal midway through the first half proved the difference as the Argentine side ended the event on a positive note.

Bahia had a pair of early opportunities, the first coming off a free kick by Regis from the right to the far post that was turned on goal, and a second off a cross by Regis from the left that Hernane headed wide of the near post.

Estudiantes’ first good chance arrived in the ninth minute when Ignacio Bailone fired a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. Soon after Facundo Sanchez won a corner kick on the right, and Juan Sebastian Veron’s delivery to the center of the penalty area was a good one, but Leandro Desabato was unable to control his header and it went well high of the crossbar.

In the 16th minute, though, Estudiantes had the lead as a harmless looking cross from the right by Israel Damonte was turned into his own net by Bahia defender Tinga. 

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Bahia almost equalized in the 24th minute when a free kick from the left was rifled on goal by Juninho, only for Estudiantes goalkeeper Mariano Andujar to turn the shot away. Andujar had to be sharp again a minute before the break when Juninho fired again from a free kick, but the Estudiantes goalkeeper  made the save again to keep his side ahead.

Estudiates had the first clear effort on goal 12 minutes into the second half as a half-cleared cross came to Rodrigo Brana, whose first-time shot from 30 yards went just over the crossbar. The Argentines went close again with seven minutes to go when Facundo Quintana sent a curling shot on goal from 25 yards, but Bahia goalkeeper Anderson Campos got across to tip it over the crossbar.

Moments later, at the ensuing corner, Estudiantes’ Javier Toledo was sent off for violent conduct in the penalty area, but Bahia was unable to take advantage of its brief man-advantage as the Argentine side claimed victory.