Internacional beat Canoas by 3 - 1 on March 17, in a match valid for the first round of the Farroupilha Cup, the second stage of the State Championship. Colorado’s goals in the match played at the Ulbra Sports Complex were scored by Josimar, Forlán and Leandro Damião. Fábio Santos managed to score for the team from the metropolitan region. With the victory, Inter has the best campaign in the competition so far. 

Inter showed their dominance from the initial kick off. With a higher rate of possession, Inter led the action, while the team from Canoas used the majority of its players defensively. Inter’s first chance at goal came early in the 7th minute of the first half. Damião picked up a loose ball in the opposing half and sent a pass to D'Alessandro. The Colorado captain tried from the half circle, but Anderson made the defense. In the 15th minute, D'Alessandro sent a great pass to Forlán. The striker received the ball in front of the goal and struck hard. Amazingly, Anderson got to it and prevented the first goal of the match. In the 18th minute, Vitor Júnior passed to D'Alessandro outside of the goal area. The Colorado midfielder tried from far, but Anderson saved it once again.

Pressure

Inter applied so much pressure that Canoas finally gave way. And it wasn’t just any goal, it was amazing. In the 25th minute, through a skillful play, Damião received a pass from D'Alessandro and sent it on to Josimar. The striker appeared out of nowhere and came face to face with goalkeeper Anderson, skillfully placing the ball in the right corner. Inter 1 - 0!

Canoas ties

The opposing team only reached Muriel’s goal a few times. In the 40th minute, a minute after Canoas’ first offensive play, Fábio Santos received the ball outside the goal area and sent the ball rocketing in to the left corner of the goal, tying the match. Inter 1 x 1 Canoas.

Second half with goal by top scorer

Inter began the second half in full swing, as Canoas maintained its completely defensive posture. Through a high-speed counter attack, Dunga’s team almost took the lead once again. In the 16th minute, Diego Forlán took a perfect free kick from just outside the penalty area, sending it soaring into the corner of the goal and leaving Anderson no chance. A superb goal by the Uruguayan! Forlán scored his seventh goal of the season, and his 12th playing for Inter.
Goal by the forward

Seeing as though the top goal scorer marked a goal, the runner-up goal scorer also had to. In the 44th minute, Damião received a pass with his back to the defender. With a quick spin he escaped the defense and struck hard to increase the final score of the match. Inter 3 - 1! This was Leandro Damião’s sixth goal in the State Championship. He is the runner-up top goal scorer of the competition.

Technical Information

Canoas (1): Anderson; Fabinho, Nilo,Gustavo Castro and Julinho; Nathan (Edu Bernardi), Jonas, Ricardo (João Kleber) and Felipe Oliveira (Da Silva); Hiago and Fabio Santos. Coach Carlos Moraes.

Internacional (3): Muriel; Gabriel, Rodrigo Moledo, Juan and Fabrício; Ygor (Élton), Josimar, Vitor Júnior (Otávio) and D’Alessandro; Diego Forlán (Caio) and Leandro Damião. Coach Dunga

Goals: Josimar (I), at 25 minutes of the first half, Diego Forlán (I), at 16 minutes of the second half; Leandro Damião (I) at 44 minutes of the second half; Fábio Santos (C), at 40 minutes of the first half.
Yellow card: Vitor Júnior (I)
Venue: Ulbra Sport Complex, Canoas
Refereeing: Roger Goulart, assisted by José Eduardo Bernardi and Sedenir Martins.