Internacional Close In on Libertadores Round of 16 After Beating Nacional

Internacional moved a step closer to the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 with a crucial 2-0 away win over Nacional on Thursday, a result that officially eliminated the home side from South America’s top club tournament.

Ricardo Mathias and Braian Aguirre were the scorers for the Brazilian side in a match that brought together two historic continental rivals.

The encounter marked the 14th meeting between Nacional and Internacional in the Libertadores—two teams that famously met in the 1980 final, where Nacional claimed the title thanks to a goal from Waldemar Victorino.

Following the result, Atlético Nacional of Colombia sits atop Group X with 9 points, followed by Internacional with 8, Bahía with 7, and Nacional, now last with 4 points, who can now only fight for a Copa Sudamericana spot.

Just three minutes into the match, Nicolás López appeared to put Nacional ahead with a brilliant finish, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Nacional kept pressing, mostly down the right flank where Lucas Villalba used his pace to repeatedly trouble Alexandro Bernabei. However, the hosts struggled to turn possession into clear chances and failed to truly threaten goalkeeper Anthoni, despite needing a win to stay alive in the group.

As the first half progressed, Internacional began to gain control in midfield and tested Luis Mejía with a dangerous long-range effort from Alan Patrick, which the Uruguayan goalkeeper saved impressively.

Just before halftime, Thiago Maia thought he had broken the deadlock with a header, but once again the flag was up for offside, and the score remained level.

That deadlock was finally broken moments later in first-half stoppage time, when Ricardo Mathias beat his marker to a low cross from the right and placed the ball beyond Mejía to make it 0-1.

Nacional came out strong after the break, pushing hard for an equalizer. Nicolás López came agonizingly close when he unleashed a powerful shot that crashed off the crossbar, leaving thousands of home fans with their hearts in their mouths.

Internacional responded with a pair of dangerous shots that were brilliantly saved by Mejía, who kept Nacional in the game as the team made a series of attacking substitutions in desperation.

Rómulo Otero also hit the crossbar with a long-range effort, but it was Internacional who struck again—this time in the 97th minute, when Braian Aguirre sealed the win and three vital points for the visitors.

With one match remaining in the group stage, Internacional are in strong position to book their ticket to the knockout rounds, while Nacional’s Libertadores dream comes to an end.