América de Rio Preto leads Independente 2-0 in Paulista Sub-23 final

América de Rio Preto secured a 2-0 victory against Independente de Limeira in the first leg of the Campeonato Paulista Sub-23 (Bezinha) final. The match, held at the Estádio Benedito Teixeira, saw América take an early lead through a header by Édipo in the third minute, followed by a second goal from Leozinho in the tenth minute.

With this result, América de Rio Preto holds a significant advantage heading into the second leg scheduled for next Sunday at the Estádio Agostinho Prada. América can win, draw, or even lose by a single goal to secure the title, while Independente must win by at least two goals to force a tie-breaking scenario.