In a match that had everything from early drama to late heroics, Internacional claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Corinthians at the Estádio Beira-Rio on Wednesday night. The game, part of the 26th round of the Brasileirão, kicked off under the Porto Alegre lights with both sides desperate for points amid their shaky campaigns. Internacional, sitting just above the relegation zone, needed this win badly, and they got it through sheer grit.
The opening goal came quick—too quick, really—for Corinthians fans. Enner Valencia struck in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse that left Cássio exposed in goal. Corinthians, already under pressure from a string of poor results, pushed back hard. They leveled things in the 35th with a Yuri Alberto header off a corner, the kind of set-piece magic that's kept them afloat this season. But momentum shifted again before halftime when Internacional's Alan Patrick curled in a beauty from outside the box, restoring the lead at 2-1.
Indeed, the second half was all tension. Corinthians dominated possession, hovering around 55%, but their attacks fizzled out against a stubborn Inter defense. Substitutions flew in—Corinthians brought on Garro and Romero in hopes of a turnaround—yet nothing stuck. Internacional, meanwhile, absorbed the pressure and countered smartly, though they nearly paid for it in the 78th when a Corinthians shot rattled the post. Manager Eduardo Coudet called it a "team effort born of necessity," and you could see why; his side's 10 points from the last five games now feel like a lifeline.
However, for Corinthians, this loss stings deeper. Sitting 14th with only 32 points, they're now five back of safety, and whispers about coach Antônio Oliveira's job grow louder. The Timão's away form—winless in six—exposes deeper issues, from midfield creativity to finishing woes. Internacional climbs to 12th, but both teams know the table's tight, with just 12 rounds left.
Moreover, this clash highlighted the Brasileirão's unpredictability, where survival often hinges on such razor-thin margins.
As the dust settles, one wonders if these results will spark real change or just more frustration in the league's fierce battle for spots.