Internacional de Porto Alegre surprised by eliminating one of the contenders for the title, River Plate, from the Copa Libertadores 2023 and advanced to the quarter-finals by beating them 9-8 on penalties and 2-1 in 90 minutes of the tense game played this year. Tuesday at the Beira-Rio Stadium.

Argentine defender Gabriel Mercado (70) and midfielder Alan Patrick (78) put the Brazilians ahead, who were ready to break the series in regular time, when Paraguayan defender Robert Rojas (90) gave way and sent the key of the definition from twelve steps.

The first match, held last week in Buenos Aires, was 2-1 in favor of the Millionaires.

After 18 shots from the penalty spot, Argentina coach Eduardo Coudet’s ‘red gauchos’ went into the ring in search of their third crown as Pablo Solari had his shot disallowed for hitting it with both feet and Rojas hit the crossbar. .

Luiz Adriano and Enner Valencia, who organized a verbal discussion after the match with Corinthians (2-2) last Saturday, shone in the penalty shootout when the Brazilian and the Ecuadorian converted the first and second balls, respectively.

In the quarter-finals, Inter will meet Bolivia’s Bolívar, who also surprised by eliminating defending runners-up Athletico Paranaense in a simultaneous match in the Brazilian city of Curitiba.

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