Internacional defeats River Plate on penalties and reaches the quarterfinals

Internacional beat River Plate twice, this Tuesday, at Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre, to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Coach Eduardo Coudet’s team won 2-1 in normal time and scored 9-8 on penalties. In the first leg, in Argentina, they had lost 2-1.

In the quarterfinals, Inter will face Bolívar, who eliminated Athletico-PR, in Curitiba, on penalties, after being defeated in the 90 minutes by 2-0.

River confirmed on the field what coach Martín Demichelis announced, by adopting an offensive posture, not allowing an initial pressure from Internacional.

At the same time that they had an initiative in the attack, River had a line of five players in their defense, making it difficult for Inter to exchange passes in the midfield.

The right side was the most used by Inter, with Bustos, Mauricio and Aránguiz. The problem is that the recomposition of the team from Rio Grande do Sul in its field was slow, being taken advantage of by River, very dangerous, especially with Solari.

In the 30th minute, in one of the few escapes from Inter’s attack, Enner Valencia appeared on the right and crossed the ball to a good save by goalkeeper Armani. At 32 minutes, the Ecuadorian striker risked a shot from the left and narrowly missed.

Inter’s pressure continued and, at 35 minutes, Bustos was brought down by Enzo Díaz inside the area. Colorado team players complained a lot, but the bid was considered normal by VAR.

At 47 minutes, River Plate almost opened the scoring with Beltrán, who deflected Nacho’s cross. Rochet made a good save. At the end of the first half, several members of Inter’s bench invaded the pitch to complain about Bustos’ unmarked penalty. The pressure continued down the hall to the locker rooms as well.

The second half started with Inter more in the offensive field, while River started to use a lot of catimba to spend time. Despite the pressure, the Brazilian team did not put Armani’s goal in danger, which increased the nervousness in Beira-Rio.

When it seemed that River’s good touch of the ball could prevail, Market, in the 25th minute, didn’t even have to go up to head, after a corner on the right: 1-0, Inter.

In advantage, Inter increased the pace and concentrated the plays on the left with Enner Valencia. In one of them, the attacker was brought down by González Pírez. In the free kick, the ball beaten by Alan Patrick deflected in the barrier and went in: 2 to 0.

River did not give up and went in search of at least one goal to take the vacancy dispute to penalties. And the Argentine effort was rewarded, in the 45th minute, with Rojas, after a corner kick from the right.

Inter’s loss could have been worse. At 48 minutes, Aliendro hit hard and Rochet made a great save. In the next minute, Market saved Beltrán’s submission, after Igor Gomes failed.

On penalties, after a 8-8 tie, after nine shots on each side, the referee changed the goalpost because of my state of the penalty spot.