Internacional secured their place in the Copa do Brasil round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Athletic at the Beira-Rio stadium on Tuesday. The result confirmed the team’s progression to the next stage of the national competition.
Carrying a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Minas Gerais, the Porto Alegre side endured more difficulty than expected to seal qualification. After taking the lead through Rafael Borré, they conceded an equalizer to a quick Athletic response. However, Alexander Bernabei restored the advantage, and despite a second goal from Ian Luccas for the visitors, Bernabei struck again to secure the win for the Gaúchos.
Internacional now await the CBF draw to discover their next opponent in the knockout phase. Meanwhile, their focus shifts to the Brasileirão, where they face Vasco at home on Saturday. Athletic will take on Juventude in the Brasileirão Série B, also on home turf.
**Inter Takes Control Early**
With the aggregate lead and home advantage, Internacional dictated the early tempo. The first chance fell to Bernabei after a combination with Vitinho and Alex, but his shot flew over the crossbar. Athletic squandered their own opportunity when Victor Gabriel’s clearance fell to Kauan Rodrigues, whose long-range effort deflected wide.
**Defensive Lapse Puts Inter Ahead**
Inter continued to dominate possession and broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, capitalizing on an Athletic defensive error. Bruno Henrique’s free kick into the box was headed clear, but Bernabei collected the ball and crossed it back in. Amid the scramble, the visitors failed to clear, and Borré was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Luan Polli, finishing calmly.
Athletic fought back and grew into the game as the first half wore on. In the 37th minute, Moysés turned cleverly and slipped a pass to Ian Lucas on the right, who burst into the box and fired past Sergio Rochet. The goal jolted Inter out of their complacency. Bernabei then spotted Allex with a long pass, and the midfielder raced clear to slot home, making it 2-1.
**Athletic Reduced to Ten Men**
Athletic’s task, already tough at 2-1, became even harder early in the second half when Gian Cabezas was sent off for an elbow on Bernabei after a VAR review.
**End-to-End Action**
Despite the man advantage, Inter hit the woodwork in the 11th minute through Victor Gabriel. The chance began with Bruno Gomes, whose shot was parried by Luan Polli, but the defender’s follow-up struck the crossbar.
Ten-man Athletic refused to give up. Bruninho beat Félix Torres and crossed straight into Rochet’s hands. Shortly after, Otusanya redirected Marcelo’s effort, but the flag went up for offside. Persistence paid off when Ian Luccas outpaced the Inter defense. Otusanya set him up with a cross, and the midfielder fired past Rochet, who hesitated. However, Bernabei immediately responded, receiving from Alan Patrick inside the box and slotting a low shot past Polli to restore the lead.
Inter held on to book their passage to the next round.
