On a thrilling night at the Beira-Rio Stadium, SC Internacional delivered a commanding performance, defeating Atlético Nacional 3-0 in the second round of the Copa Libertadores group stage on April 10, 2025. Alan Patrick was the star of the match, scoring all three goals for Internacional, marking a hat-trick that solidified his team's dominance.
The match kicked off at 5:00 p.m. local time, with both teams eager to secure crucial points in the early stages of the tournament. Atlético Nacional, coming off a strong 3-0 victory against Nacional de Uruguay, aimed to maintain their momentum. However, they faced a formidable opponent in Internacional, who had recently triumphed over Cruzeiro in the local league.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams showing promise but failing to capitalize on their chances. Atlético Nacional's defense was tested repeatedly, but they held firm against Internacional's advances. The standout player for Nacional was goalkeeper David Ospina, who made several critical saves to keep his team in the game, including a remarkable stop against a powerful shot from Wesley.
As the second half commenced, the match took a decisive turn. Just five minutes in, Internacional was awarded a penalty after Dairon Asprilla fouled Vitinho in the box. Alan Patrick stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, putting his team ahead 1-0.
With the momentum shifting, Internacional continued to press forward. Patrick doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, scoring again after receiving a precise pass from Braian Aguirre. His calm finish left Ospina with no chance, and the home crowd erupted in celebration.
Things went from bad to worse for Atlético Nacional when Marino Hinestroza received a red card in the 87th minute after a VAR review determined that he had committed a serious foul. This left Nacional with ten men and little hope of staging a comeback.
In the dying moments of the match, Alan Patrick completed his hat-trick, scoring his third goal in the 88th minute. This time, he found the net after a well-placed cross, sealing a comprehensive victory for Internacional.
Wesley was named the AS player of the match with an impressive rating of 8.2, narrowly edging out Patrick, who received a rating of 7.8 for his hat-trick performance. Rafael Santos Borré also contributed to the team's efforts, although he received a yellow card for a foul earlier in the match.
Despite the loss, Atlético Nacional had their moments, with several attempts on goal, but they struggled to find the back of the net. Their recent form had included two wins, a draw, and a loss, but this defeat raises questions about their ability to compete against Brazilian teams in the Libertadores, a challenge they have faced since their last Copa Libertadores title in 2016.
Looking ahead, Atlético Nacional will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match, while Internacional will be buoyed by this convincing victory, positioning themselves as serious contenders in the tournament.
This match marked the first encounter between these two teams at the CONMEBOL level, and it was a historic one for Internacional, who had not previously faced Nacional in this competition. The last time Nacional won in Brazil was over three decades ago, and they will be eager to reverse their fortunes in future encounters.
In conclusion, Internacional's dominance over Atlético Nacional in this match not only showcased their attacking prowess but also highlighted the challenges facing Nacional as they navigate through the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances and strive for success on the continental stage.
