Internacional – RS 3–2 Athletic Club: Dramatic Comeback Seals Brazilian Cup Progression

In a pulsating Brazilian Cup third-round tie at the Estádio Beira-Rio, Internacional – RS overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Athletic Club 3–2 and book their place in the next stage. The match, played on 13 May 2026, showcased the resilience of the home side and the costly mistakes of a brave visiting team.

Match Story

Athletic Club stunned the Porto Alegre crowd early on, scoring twice inside the opening 25 minutes. A defensive mix-up inside the penalty area allowed the visitors to poke home from close range in the 12th minute, and then a swift break down the left flank doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark. Internacional looked disjointed and struggled to find rhythm against a well-drilled Athletic side.

The turning point came just before half-time. A long-range strike from Internacional's attacking midfielder took a deflection and looped over the goalkeeper, reducing the deficit to 2–1. That goal gave the home team a lifeline, and they emerged for the second half with renewed purpose.

Second-Half Surge

Internacional equalised in the 57th minute after a sustained spell of pressure. A corner kick was flicked on at the near post, and a centre-back bundled the ball over the line from close range. The momentum was now fully with the Colorado, and they completed the turnaround in the 71st minute when a weaving run from the left wing ended with a low cross that was turned in at the far post.

Athletic Club tried to rally late on, hitting the crossbar in the 84th minute, but Internacional held firm to see out a famous comeback victory.

Key Performers

• Internacional's midfield engine: The home side's number 8 covered the most ground (11.7 km) and provided the assist for the winning goal.
• Defensive resilience after going behind: Once Internacional equalised, they conceded only one shot on target for the remainder of the match.

Competition Context

The victory keeps Internacional's hopes of adding another Copa do Brasil trophy to their cabinet alive. They now advance to face a top-flight rival in the round of 16. For Athletic Club, it was a valiant effort that underlined their potential, but defensive concentration at crucial moments let them down.