Johnny Cardoso and Internacional are a step closer to booking a spot in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores as they survived the altitude of La Paz, Bolivia to take a narrow win over Bolivar.
Bolivar 0-1 Internacional
Internacional scored early and did well to withstand the pressure for the rest of the game as they came away with a slim win over Bolivar at Estadio Hernando Siles.
Johnny started for the Red and went the distance, completing 93 percent of his passes, winning four duels, making two tackles, and creating one chance.
The hosts had the advantage in the first 10 minutes of action and nearly came close to opening the scoring when Chico da Costa’s half-volley took a deflection off an Internacional defender, forcing goalkeeper Sergio Rochet to make an acrobatic save.
Despite the early pressure, the visitors scored the only goal of the in the 16th minute. Alan Patrick took control of the ball at midfield before sending it into the path of Enner Valencia, and the Ecuadorian international powered his past Bolivar goalkeeper Carlos Lampe who remained rooted to his spot.
From that point on it was all Bolivar as they peppered their opponent’s goal with chances, only for some of them to be near misses.
It was much of the same in the second half as Internacional did all they could to withstand wave after wave of attacks from the Sky Blue as they took a total of 23 shots during the game (five of them being on target).
In the end, it was a frustrating night for Bolivar and a huge positive for Inter as they survived the altitude of La Paz to take a slight advantage into the second leg.
These two teams will play the second leg next Tuesday in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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