After winning the first leg, at the altitude of La Paz, by 1-0, Internacional faced Bolívar this Tuesday night (29th) at the Beira-Rio stadium. The Brazilian team had two goals from Enner Valencia to win 2-0 and guarantee their place in the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
Colorado‘s opponent in the fight to reach the continent’s final will be decided next Thursday (31st), when the Defensores del Chaco stadium will host the second leg game between Fluminense and Olímpia. Last week, the Brazilians won the first leg by 2-0.
The Inter victory in La Paz forced Bolívar to break loose in Beira-Rio, and Inter, attentive to the visiting posture, offered no easy way out, especially by scoring in the first minutes.
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The game
The beginning of the match made it clear: Wanderson would be one of the protagonists of the night. With room to accelerate, the number 11 bothered rivals early on, and needed just 10 minutes to build the play for the first goal. With speed, he ran from midfield, invaded the area and, harassed by four markers, crossed a low ball to Valencia. First, in front of the penalty spot, the Ecuadorian finished for the net.
Valencia found the goal again, but on offside, at 25 minutes. Triggered by Mauricio, the Ecuadorian ran from the midfielder and left his defender behind and, face to face with Lampe, was calm to score the second. Indicated on the field, the offside, per centimeters, was confirmed by VAR. After each opportunity created by Inter, Bolívar resorted to excessive fouls to curb the red momentum.
Inter came back for the second half determined to resolve the confrontation. At nine minutes, Mauricio received it from Bustos and, already inside the penalty area, hit low. The ball went out. Soon after, Alan Patrick finished from outside the area and also took danger. Already at 13, Valencia scored, once again, in an irregular condition. The hunger of Ecuadorians did not stop growing.
𝐁𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐀, 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒! 😆👍 #LibertaNossaLoucura pic.twitter.com/uEuI6dmIXu
— Sport Club Internacional (@SCInternacional) August 30, 2023
Alan Patrick was the waiter who quenched Valencia’s hunger. The number 10 received from Renê and saw the Ecuadorian with space to attack the back of the defense. Millimetric, the captain’s assistance was duly taken advantage of by the gunner. On the left, Enner dominated, faced the marker, entered the area, pulled to the right leg and sent a rocket into the net.
