On a damp Monday night in Porto Alegre, Internacional and Santos FC played out a tense, goal-heavy 1-1 draw that left both teams stuck in the mire of Brazil’s mid-table. The match, held at Estádio José Pinheiro Borda—better known as Estádio Beira-Rio—on Brasileirão Betano Round 35Porto Alegre, ended with the kind of drama that defines the final stretch of the Brazilian top flight. Alan Patrick gave Internacional the lead with a crisp finish in the 20th minute, but Álvaro Barreal answered just before the hour mark, silencing the home crowd and keeping Santos alive in their fight to climb out of the relegation zone. The final whistle blew at 90'+6', with Vitão missing a golden header from close range, a fitting end to a match full of near-misses and missed opportunities.
First Half Control, Second Half Comeback
Internacional came out sharp, pressing high and dominating possession. Their early goal wasn’t fluky—it was the product of patient buildup, with Thiago Maia threading a pass through Santos’ midfield to Alan Patrick, who slotted it low past goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão. At halftime, the hosts were ahead 1-0, and the crowd believed this might be the night they finally broke their recent slump. But football doesn’t reward early leads forever. Santos, who’d looked disjointed in the first 45, came out transformed. Coach Vítor Hugo (yes, the same name as the substitute who came on) made three changes at the break, including bringing on Álvaro Barreal for Robinho Jr.. The shift worked. Barreal, a 23-year-old forward with a knack for late runs, pounced on a loose ball after a corner scramble and buried it from six yards out.
Referee, Substitutions, and Controversy
Referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda kept a tight rein, but not without tension. At the 46th minute, Santos’ Mayke was penalized for a handball inside the box—a decision that sparked heated protests from the visitors. Though no penalty was awarded (the ball struck his arm while shielding it), the call triggered a cascade of substitutions: Barreal off, Victor Hugo on; Z. Rafael off, J. Schmidt on; Robinho Jr. off, Guilherme on. It was a tactical gamble that paid off. Meanwhile, Internacional’s Óscar Romero was the team’s creative spark, delivering a perfect cross to Vitão in stoppage time—only for the center-back to head it wide. That miss summed up the night: chances, but no breakthrough.
Standings and the Long Road to Season’s End
Post-match, Internacional sat at 11th place with 41 points from 35 games (10 wins, 11 draws, 14 losses), while Santos hovered just below in 13th with 38 points (9-11-15). With only three rounds left, neither team has realistic playoff hopes, but both are clinging to pride—and avoiding the drop. Santos, historically one of Brazil’s most decorated clubs, hasn’t finished outside the top 10 since 2018. This season, they’ve been plagued by inconsistency, scoring just 39 goals in 35 matches—the second-lowest in the league. Internacional, meanwhile, has been a model of mediocrity: solid defense, poor finishing, and too many draws. This 1-1 result was their 12th of the season. Twelve. That’s not just a trend—it’s a pattern.
Historical Rivalry, Modern Reality
The head-to-head record tells a story of shifting power: Internacional leads 11-6 in wins, with 14 draws since their first meeting. But this isn’t the 1980s anymore, when Pelé’s Santos ruled Brazil. Today, both clubs are shadows of their former glory, battling not for titles, but for relevance. The Beira-Rio, with its 50,848 seats, was less than half full—mostly loyal fans, not the throngs of yesteryear. The atmosphere was electric in patches, but the stakes felt lower than ever. Still, for the players, it mattered. Every point counts. Every goal matters.
What Comes Next?
With the league’s final three rounds looming, both teams face uphill battles. Internacional’s next match is away against a struggling Fortaleza side, while Santos travels to face Atlético Mineiro—likely their toughest remaining challenge. Neither has a clear path to the top six, but neither can afford to give up. For Internacional, avoiding a 12th-place finish would be a small victory. For Santos, finishing above 13th might just keep their youth academy from being gutted by financial pressure. The Brazilian league is brutal this way: even teams with rich histories are now fighting for survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Santos FC improve after halftime?
Santos switched to a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation at halftime, bringing on Álvaro Barreal and shifting Willian Arão higher. The move increased their pressing intensity and exploited Internacional’s high defensive line. Barreal’s goal came from a set-piece rebound after a corner, a scenario Santos had practiced extensively. Their shot count jumped from 4 to 9 in the second half, with three on target—proof the tactical change worked.
How does this draw affect Internacional’s chances of avoiding relegation?
Internacional is already 11 points clear of the relegation zone, so safety isn’t in doubt. But finishing 11th instead of 10th means missing out on the Copa Sudamericana qualifying spot, which goes to 10th place. With only three games left, they’d need to win all three and hope 10th-place Fortaleza loses two of theirs—a slim but possible scenario. The club’s management has quietly signaled they’re targeting that spot.
What’s the significance of Álvaro Barreal’s goal for Santos?
Barreal’s goal was his third in the league this season—and his first since August. He’d been benched for much of the second half of the season due to inconsistent form. His equalizer not only salvaged a point but may have saved his place in the squad for next season. With Santos’ top scorer, Rafael Santos, injured since September, Barreal’s emergence as a reliable finisher could be critical in the final stretch.
Why was the Beira-Rio stadium only half full?
Despite being Internacional’s historic home, the Beira-Rio has seen declining attendance since the 2023 season, partly due to rising ticket prices and fan disillusionment over inconsistent performances. Only 24,300 fans showed up for this match—about 48% capacity. Local media reported that many supporters boycotted the game in protest of the club’s board, which approved a $12 million stadium renovation without fan consultation.
Is this draw typical for both teams this season?
Yes. Internacional has drawn 12 of their 35 games—the most in the league. Santos has drawn 11, tied for second-most. Both teams have the worst goal difference in the top half: Internacional at -7, Santos at -10. Their tendency to score early and then sit back has led to a pattern of narrow leads and late collapses. Analysts call it "the Brazilian mid-table curse"—teams that can’t convert dominance into wins.
What does this result mean for the 2026 season outlook?
Both clubs are in rebuilding mode. Internacional’s coach, Paulo Autuori, is rumored to be under pressure, while Santos is expected to replace their entire technical staff after the season. Key players like Thiago Maia and Willian Arão are out of contract in 2026, and neither club has the financial muscle to retain them. Without major investment, both could slip into the lower half next year, risking further decline in attendance and revenue.
Anoop Singh
November 25, 2025 AT 20:37Bro seriously? You think Barreal’s goal was just luck? Nah man, that’s pure instinct. Santos were sleeping till halftime, then they switched to 4-3-3 like they watched a Bundesliga documentary overnight. The pressuring, the runs behind - it was like watching a chess match where someone finally moved the knight right.
And don’t even get me started on Vitão’s header. That was the kind of miss that haunts you in your dreams. I’ve seen goalkeepers make better saves than that.
Also, why is everyone acting like this is normal? Twelve draws? That’s not bad luck, that’s a systemic failure. Someone’s gotta fire the coach before they start drawing against the janitor.