In a match that had everything but a fairy-tale ending for the visitors, Internacional managed a gritty 2-1 victory over Corinthians at the Estádio Beira-Rio on Wednesday night. The 26th round of the Brasileirão Betano delivered tension from the opening whistle, with Porto Alegre's home side leaning on their defensive resolve to clinch three vital points. Corinthians, fighting to climb the table, started strong but faltered under pressure as the clock ticked down.
The game kicked off at 7:30 p.m. local time, and right away, Internacional's Enner Valencia tested the waters with a sharp run down the left flank. But it was Corinthians' Yuri Alberto who struck first in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a sloppy clearance to slot one past the keeper and silence the roaring crowd. Indeed, the Timão faithful traveling from São Paulo must have sensed a potential upset brewing. However, Internacional responded just before halftime, equalizing through a deflected shot from Alan Patrick that wrong-footed the defense.
Second half brought more of the same—frantic action, yellow cards flying, and missed chances piling up. Corinthians pushed hard, with midfielder Rodrigo Garro pulling strings in midfield, but their attacks lacked the killer edge. Internacional, meanwhile, grew in confidence. The decisive blow came in the 78th minute when substitute Wanderson pounced on a rebound from a corner, heading home what proved to be the winner. The hosts held firm despite late Corinthians pressure, including a disallowed goal in stoppage time that had the away bench in uproar.
This result lifts Internacional to seventh in the standings with 42 points, keeping their Copa Libertadores dreams alive, while Corinthians slip to 12th on 32 points, their inconsistency rearing its head once more. Coach Ramón Díaz's side showed fight, but defensive lapses continue to haunt them. Moreover, injuries to key players like Garro, who limped off early, won't help their cause in the coming weeks.
But in the cutthroat world of Brazilian football, where every point feels like a battle won, one can't help but wonder if Corinthians can turn the tide before it's too late.
