In a gripping encounter at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín, Colombia, Internacional faced a tough defeat against Atlético Nacional, falling 3-1 on Thursday, May 8, 2025, during the fourth round of the Copa Libertadores group stage. The loss has placed Internacional in a precarious position in Group F, where they now sit third with just five points, jeopardizing their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
The match kicked off with Atlético Nacional asserting their dominance early on. Kevin Viveros opened the scoring in the 38th minute, capitalizing on a swift attack. Camilo Cándido made a run down the left flank, delivering a precise cross that Viveros skillfully controlled before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, leaving Internacional goalkeeper Anthoni with little chance.
As the second half commenced, the home side continued to apply pressure. Just nine minutes after the break, Billy Arce doubled Atlético Nacional's lead. Following a rapid counter-attack, Marino Hinestroza set up Arce, who found himself unmarked in the box. He made no mistake, striking the ball firmly into the lower right corner, putting the hosts up 2-0.
Internacional, however, would not go down without a fight. In the 34th minute of the second half, they were awarded a penalty after Aguirre was fouled in the area by Cándido. Alan Patrick stepped up to take the penalty and expertly placed the ball into the right side of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and igniting hope for the visitors.
Despite their efforts to regain control of the match, Internacional was unable to maintain momentum. In a heartbreaking twist, Viveros struck again in the dying moments of the match, scoring his second goal at 47 minutes of added time. After receiving a well-timed through ball, he maneuvered past the defense and slotted the ball home, sealing the victory for Atlético Nacional.
This defeat has significant implications for Internacional's campaign in the Copa Libertadores. With the result, they have dropped out of the qualifying zone for the knockout stage, now trailing behind Bahia, who leads the group with seven points, and Atlético Nacional, who has moved up to six points. Nacional of Uruguay remains at the bottom of the group with four points.
Alan Patrick, who scored the lone goal for Internacional, shared his thoughts post-match, stating, "It was a difficult game. We struggled with the rhythm they imposed, and we couldn't retain possession. Our team usually plays well with the ball, but today we couldn't. Despite the setback, we remain motivated for the two remaining group matches. We need to look forward; this game is behind us, but we must learn from it to improve." His comments reflect the team's determination to bounce back.
The performance of the team has raised eyebrows, particularly with the noticeable lack of confidence displayed by the players. Coach Roger Machado has pointed to internal issues and the team's mentality as contributing factors to their disappointing performance. The reactions on social media have also highlighted the struggles of defender Vitão, further complicating the team's morale.
Looking ahead, Internacional's next challenge comes quickly as they prepare to face Botafogo in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 20:00 (Brasília time) at the Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro. This match will serve as a crucial opportunity for the team to regroup and address the necessary adjustments before their upcoming Libertadores clash against Nacional in Montevideo on May 15, 2025.
Meanwhile, Atlético Nacional will also be in action on the same day, hosting Llaneros in the Campeonato Colombiano. As both teams look to build on their respective performances, the stakes remain high in this competitive environment.
In summary, the defeat has left Internacional in a challenging spot, but with two matches remaining in the group stage, they still have a chance to turn their fortunes around. The resilience and determination expressed by players like Alan Patrick will be key as they strive for redemption in the coming weeks.
