Internacional beat Atlético Mineiro 3-1 last night in Porto Alegre to qualify for the Copa Libertadores quarter finals.
The tie was delicately poised at 2-2 following the first leg, however Internacional swung it back in their favour early on with a goal against the run of play by Valdivia.
Atlético thought they had equalised through a Leonardo Silva header soon after, but it was dubiously disallowed by the Chilean referee for a supposed push and, as Levir Cupli’s men sought an equaliser they were caught with a sucker punch by Andres D’Allesandro, whose brilliant turn and curling strike into the top corner put Inter two goals ahead.
However, as they have demonstrated on multiple occasions over the past few seasons, Galo should never be written off, and they came back strongly in the second half, with Argentinian hit-man Lucas Pratto’s driven finish breathing life back into the tie.
Inter were rocking and the visitors pushed for an equaliser, Luan coming closest when he hit the bar with the goal gaping. With time running out coach Culpi threw caution to the window, introducing striker Jó in place of left-back Douglas Santos, but as Galo poured forward they left spaces in defence, and with ten minutes remaining, a loose header by Jesus Dátolo allowed Lisandro Lopes to pounce and finish past Victor, putting the game to bed.
Internacional will face Santa Fé in the quarter final, with the first leg to take place in Bogotá next week.
