Image via deport.pe

Internacional have one foot into the Copa Libertadores final, which would be their first appearance since 2010 when the Porto Alegre club defeated Club Guadalajara 5–3 on aggregate, after they defeated Tigres UANL 2–1 with both goals coming in the first half.

In a sea of red lining the Estádio José Pinheiro Borba, Internacional attacked the backline of Tigres relentlessly like rampaging bulls running in the streets of Pamplona. The hosts drew first blood in the fifth minute of the match through capitan Andrés D’Alessandro. Nilmar provided a pass that was rolled into the path of D’Alessandro who made absolutely no mistake as he finished off the move with an exquisite shot that beat the visiting goal keeper.

There was not but another five minutes that came off the clock when the next bit of blood was drawn from the hosts to go 2–0 up early in the contest. This second goal was scored by Valdívia — no, not the one that just won the Copá America but a 20-year-old who is budding star in his own right — off a shot that was deflected off a Tigres defender and it looped up and over a desperate Nahuel Guzmán who could do nothing but watch the ball soar over his head.

The 4–2–2–2 from Diego Aguirre worked to perfection in the opening half an hour of the match. This formation did not allow the visitors much room to operate during the middle of the pitch because it was clogged with Internacional footballers. When the ball was eventually won back, and usually pretty quickly after losing possession, the Brazilian club countered quickly up the pitch, using both sides before whipping in a cross.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they could not keep a clean sheet because Hugo Ayala had other plans. The Tigres central defender was left unmarked on a corner in the middle of the box and redirected an in-swinging cross into the far corner of the goal to pull one back and get that all important away goal.

Tigres manager and former Botafogo midfielder, Ricardo Ferretti must have gave his side an inspiring halftime speech because his club came out with pace and energy that seemed to not really be there in the first half. Despite all their efforts in the attacking third of the pitch, Internacional’s defense held strong and compact clearing away any danger.

Matters were made worse for the Mexican club right before the hour mark, though, when their goal scorer was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the evening. He did get the ball, yes, but his trailing leg caught Geferson and was given his marching orders.

After the red card, Internacional seemed content to hold on to the ball as long as they could before moving towards the eighteen yard box. Aranguiz probably had the best chance of the second half, with 15 minutes left to go, as he ripped a curling effort on target but straight at the goal keeper.

Ferretti will know that his side is not completely out of it yet thanks to that away goal from Ayala in the first half when the second leg commences next week in Mexico, but it will be a mighty big effort from them if they can advance to finals of the Copa Libertadores.