Internacional vs Fluminense 2025: Stunning 2-1 Comeback Victory
Date & Venue: 31 July 2025 at Estádio Beira‑Rio, Porto Alegre (capacity ~51,300)
Final Score: Internacional 1–2 Fluminense – Everaldo brace, Carbonero reply
Competition Stage: Copa do Brasil Round of 16 (first leg)
Match Build-Up & Historical Rivalry
- Head-to-head (before this match): Out of 53 official meetings, Fluminense held slight edge with 20 wins to Internacional’s 18, and 15 draws. At home, Internacional had historically fared better.
- Season Form entering match: Internacional had been inconsistent in Série A (14th place with just 2 wins in 11 matches), scoring 1.09 goals per game and conceding 1.45. Fluminense was in strong form at 5th in the league, scoring 1.36 per match and conceding just 1.09.
Starting Lineups & Tactical Setups
Internacional (4‑4‑2 / Roger Machado):
Likely featured goalkeeper Rochet, defenders such as Mercado, midfielders Bruno Henrique, Thiago Maia, with Johan Carbonero in a central attacking role. Pressing-oriented setup aimed to control transitions.
Fluminense (4‑3‑3 / Renato Gaúcho):
Defensively solid with Fábio, Thiago Silva, midfield balanced with André, Martinelli, Bernal, and a front three including Everaldo and Jhon Arias. Focused on structured pressing and quick transitions.
Goal Summary & Scoring Timeline
- 9′ – Fluminense 1–0: Everaldo capitalized on a defensive lapse to finish calmly.
- 35′ – Fluminense 2–0: Everaldo doubled the lead from inside the box after a precise cross from Kevin Serna.
- 45+6′ – Internacional 1–2: Carbonero’s strike from outside the box found the top corner, reducing the deficit just before halftime.
Full-Time Stats
| Statistic | Internacional | Fluminense |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 37.7% | 62.3% |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 2 |
| Total Shots | 10 | 5 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 0 |
| Saves | 0 | 1 |
Tactical Insights & Momentum Shifts
Fluminense Got Midfield Control
They used possession intelligently, pressing when needed, forcing turnovers, and attacking through wide channels—especially from Martinelli and Arias.
Internacional’s Missed Chances
Despite higher total shots (10 vs 5), finishing quality was lacking. Carbonero’s goal was a rare bright spark, otherwise conversion was poor.
Disciplinary Issues
Internacional committed three fouls, resulting in yellow cards, hinting at frustration in midfield and lack of discipline disrupting rhythms.
Player Highlights
Everaldo (Fluminense): Man of the match with a brace; his movement in the box and clinical finishing made the difference.
Carbonero (Internacional): Showed flair and determination with his strike, reducing the deficit before halftime.
Thiago Silva (Fluminense): Veteran leadership in defense kept Internacional’s attack largely in check.
Broader Context & What It Means
Fluminense head into the second leg at Maracanã with a valuable 2–1 aggregate lead.
Internacional must chase chances away from home, where historically their form has dipped. They will fight to overturn the deficit.
Fluminense’s confidence boosted by recent continental and domestic form—this result consolidates their momentum in the Copa do Brasil.
Post-Match Implications
Fluminense’s defensive solidity and away-leg scoreline put them in a strong position to progress.
Internacional has work to do, needing a win by a two-goal margin or engineer a clean sheet at Maracanã in the return leg.
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