In a thrilling midweek clash, Inter clinched a hard-earned 2-1 victory against Juventude on Wednesday (14) at Beira-Rio. This match, which was postponed earlier in the season, saw the Colorado team make a dramatic comeback after trailing 1-0 in the first half. The win was significant, marking Inter’s first victory after a challenging streak of 12 games without a win.
First Half Struggles
The game kicked off with a controversial moment when Inter’s goalkeeper, Gabriel, had a tense interaction with Wesley, which led to some players calling for a penalty. Despite the protests, the referee let play continue. Inter’s striker was soon sidelined with an injury, forcing a substitution.
Inter’s first-half performance was less than stellar. Valencia had a chance early on but his shot was weak and easily saved. A missed opportunity followed when Gustavo Prado set up Valencia, but the finish was off target. In a key moment, Bruno Tabata was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Juventude’s goalkeeper Gabriel. However, Valencia’s poorly executed penalty was saved by Gabriel, leaving Inter with nothing to show for their efforts.
Juventude took advantage of Inter’s missed chances and scored in the 48th minute. Nenê’s swift counterattack caught Inter’s defense off guard, giving Juventude a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Turning the Tide
The second half started with Inter on the offensive. Bernabei’s powerful shot was saved by Gabriel, and Gustavo Prado’s subsequent effort also failed to find the back of the net.
In the 56th minute, Inter’s persistence paid off. Thiago Maia capitalized on a mistake by Lucas Barbosa, stealing the ball and placing it expertly into the corner of the net to level the score at 1-1.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute. Gabriel Carvalho’s attempt inside the penalty area led to a handball by Alan Ruschel. The referee awarded Inter another penalty. Bruno Tabata took the kick, which was initially saved by Gabriel, but Tabata was quick to pounce on the rebound, scoring the winning goal and sealing a 2-1 victory for Inter.
What This Win Means
This victory was more than just three points for Inter; it was a much-needed morale boost and a step towards recovery in their season. The win pushed them into the Copa Sudamericana qualification zone, now sitting in 12th place with 25 points. The team is now four points clear of the relegation zone.
Looking ahead, Inter will face Atlético-GO on Sunday (18) at Antônio Accioly in Goiânia for the 23rd round of the competition. Meanwhile, Juventude will travel to Baixada to take on Athletico on the same day. Both matches are crucial as teams continue to battle for their positions in the league.
Bruno Tabata’s Stellar Debut
A standout performance came from Bruno Tabata, who marked his debut for Inter with a crucial role in the game. His ability to score the winning goal from the penalty spot and his overall contribution in the match highlight his potential impact on the team moving forward.
As Inter moves forward, fans and players alike will be hoping that this victory marks the beginning of a more successful chapter in their season.
