Bernabei, from Inter, celebrates his goal against Athletic in the Copa do Brasil.
Image: Maxi Franzoi/AGIF
It wasn’t easy: Inter twice conceded an equalizer to Athletic at the Beira Rio — once while playing with a man advantage — but they persisted and secured a 3-2 victory, earning a spot in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.
Inter had already won the first leg 2-1, advancing with an aggregate score of 5-3. The Gaúcho side is the first team guaranteed among the final 16 in the competition and will learn their next opponent through a draw.
In the first half, Bernabei shone as a provider, assisting Borré and Allex for Inter’s goals. Between those strikes, Ian Luccas found the net for the visitors. In the second half, Athletic had a player sent off but managed to equalize again — that’s when the Argentine left-back for Inter stepped up once more. This time, he scored the winning goal for the Colorado side.
Now, Inter turns its attention to the Brasileirão. Fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone, they host Vasco next Saturday (16) at 6:30 PM (Brasília time). Athletic returns to action the following day, hosting Juventude at 4 PM in the ninth round of the Série B.
**Match Timeline**
**First Half**
**1-0:** In the 20th minute, Athletic’s defense poorly cleared a free kick, and the ball fell to Inter. Bernabei received it on the left and crossed low. Inside the six-yard box, Borré tapped it in.
**1-1:** In the 38th minute, Gabriel Moysés received the ball at the edge of the area between two defenders, controlled it, and backheeled to Ian Luccas. Inside the box, the midfielder curled it past Rochet.
**2-1:** In the 43rd minute, Bernabei advanced down the left and, just past midfield, launched a ball over the defense for Allex. He controlled it in the box and slotted it under the goalkeeper.
**Second Half**
**VAR and Red Card:** In the 3rd minute, the referee called a foul by Cabezas on Bernabei and showed a yellow card. He was called to the VAR to review, overturned the yellow, and showed a red to Athletic’s midfielder.
**Almost!** In the 9th minute, Alan Patrick stole the ball in the attacking third near the byline. He rolled it to Bruno Henrique, who unleashed a powerful shot. Athletic’s goalkeeper made a good save.
**2-2:** In the 21st minute, Otusanya received the ball on the left wing and delivered a cross. Rochet hesitated to come off his line, and Ian Luccas anticipated, tapping into an empty net.
**3-2:** In the 23rd minute, Alan Patrick advanced freely through the middle and slipped the ball to Bernabei on the overlap. The full-back entered the box and struck a low cross-shot to beat goalkeeper Luan Polli.
**Off the Bar!** In the 11th minute, after an open corner kick, Bruno Gomes hit a first-time shot. Luan Polli parried, and Victor Gabriel headed against the crossbar.
**MATCH FACTS**
**Inter 3-2 Athletic-MG**
**Date and Time:** May 12 (Tuesday), 7:30 PM (Brasília time)
**Competition:** Copa do Brazil Round of 16 (5th stage)
**Venue:** Beira Rio Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
**Referee:** Lucas Casagrande
**Yellow Cards:** Alan Patrick (INT)
**Red Card:** Cabezas (ATH)
**Goals:** Borré (INT) 20′, Ian Luccas (ATH) 38′, Allex (INT) 43′ (1st half); Ian Luccas (ATH) 21′, Bernabei (INT) 23′ (2nd half)
**Lineups**
**Inter:** Rochet; Bruno Gomes (Alan Rodríguez), Félix Torres, Victor Gabriel, Bernabei; Bruno Henrique (Aguirre), Villagra (Ronaldo), Vitinho (Kayky), Allex (Bruno Tabata), Alan Patrick; Borré.
Coach: Paulo Pezzolano
**Athletic:** Luan Polli; Douglas Pelé (João Miguel), Jhonatan, Marcelo Henrique (Max), Belezi, Zeca; Ian Luccas (Diogo Batista), Cabezas, Gustavinho (Bruninho), Kauan Rodrigues; Gabriel Moysés (Otusanya).
Coach: Alex Souza
