Internacional continue to ride their way at the top as they recorded yet another victory in the Brasilerao. Colorado recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bragantino on Sunday afternoon.
Inter came into the game as huge favorites to win and they showed their superiority early on. It took them only five minutes to open the scoring after Patrick easily tapped in a rebound from his own shot.
However, Bragantino were not going down without a fight and they got their equalizer just ten minutes later in the 15th minute. Moisés missed a cut –back in the box and the ball fell to the path of Artur to finish.
Inter goalkeeper Lomba saved the ball initially but Helinho was at the right place to take advantage of the rebound to level matters.
Inter returned with changes for the start of the second half. Rodrigo Lindoso and Marcos Guilherme were brought in place of Rodrigo Dourado and Caio Vidal.
Just 12 minutes into the second period, Inter were awarded a penalty.
It proved to be slightly controversial as referee Sávio Pereira needed to confirm it via VAR. Edenilson stepped up to score the resulting penalty and give Inter the lead.
Bragantino were fully dominant and had all the possession and chances but Inter did just enough to hold on to their lead and a crucial victory on home turf.
Claudinho had chances to score his 17th goal of the season and move outright as the Brasilerao top scorer but it turns out it was just not his day. The striker has impressed in front of goal for Bragantino this term and remains one of the best players in the league.
The victory means Internacional have now gone 11 games unbeaten in the Brazilian Championship, winning their last nine consecutive games. You can’t help but imagine now that they are clear favorites to win the title.
Inter have gone well over four decades without a Brasilerao title and the last time they won the league dates all the way back to the 1978/79 season. They find themselves in a good position to end that drought.
For their next outing, Bragantino welcome Atlético-GO to Nabi Abi Chedid on Wednesday while Inter will travel to take on Athletico-PR the next day.
