Internacional 2:0 Corinthians
Internacional saw off Corinthians 2:0 in the Round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil on Saturday night, booking their place in the quarter-finals with a performance that prioritised efficiency over possession. Corinthians controlled 69 per cent of the ball, but the hosts cut them open at will when it mattered, and here's the thing — they did it without needing a single big chance to materialise.
Matheus Bahia gave Internacional the lead in the 61st minute, and Alan Patrick doubled it from the penalty spot nine minutes later. The visitors had been dominating territory for most of the game, but Internacional switched to a back three at key moments and worked the channels when it counted. By then, Corinthians were already on the back foot, and the penalty — a late addition to their yellow card tally — sealed the tie.
The statistics tell a familiar story: Corinthians racked up 118 attacks to Internacional's 70, but the hosts had an expected goals figure of 1.48 against 0.83. Three shots on target for each side, but Internacional converted both while Corinthians dallied on the ball and watched their chances slip away. The visitors attempted 28 crosses to four, won 13 aerial duels to ten, and still found themselves trailing on the scoreboard.
Internacional's recent form had suggested vulnerability — a 1:1 draw with Flamengo, followed by losses to Atlético Paranaense and Cruzeiro — but this was a different beast. They made three substitutions in the second half, bringing on Andre, J. Carbonero and Bruno Henrique, and the changes didn't change the outcome so much as confirm it. Corinthians also shuffled their pack with triples at 72 and 84 minutes, but the game was already done.
What mattered going forward is the gap Internacional has opened. They advance on aggregate, and while the Copa do Brasil has its own rules, beating Corinthians away from home is no small feat. The hosts will want to build on this, not rest on it. One game doesn't make a campaign, but this was the kind of performance that suggests they can raise the tempo when they need to.