Internacional 3-0 Botafogo: Alan Patrick, Borré and Wesley power Porto Alegre rout

Internacional delivered one of their most complete home performances of the Brazilian Serie A season, defeating Botafogo 3-0 at the Beira-Rio on 25 October 2026. A first-half penalty from Alan Patrick set the hosts on their way, Rafael Borré doubled the advantage early in the second half, and Wesley added a late third to cap a dominant evening in Porto Alegre.

The result gave Internacional a significant boost in the race for Copa Libertadores qualification and underlined the value of their pressing game against one of the league’s more dangerous transition teams. Botafogo, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a night when they were second to too many loose balls and rarely found the clean attacking rhythm that has defined their better performances this season.

Match overview

Played in front of a packed Beira-Rio, the contest was billed as a test of Internacional’s aggression against Botafogo’s ability to break at speed. The home side controlled that battle almost from the opening whistle. Internacional pressed high with their front line, squeezed the space around Botafogo’s midfield pivot and forced the visitors into long passes that were comfortably dealt with by the back line.

Alan Patrick was at the heart of nearly everything positive for Internacional. Operating between the lines, he linked midfield and attack, drew fouls in dangerous areas and kept the tempo high whenever Botafogo threatened to settle. Borré’s movement stretched the away defence, while Wesley’s direct running on the right gave Internacional an outlet whenever Botafogo tried to push numbers forward.

Botafogo had brief spells of possession but struggled to turn them into clear chances. Their best moments came from set pieces and second balls around the edge of the box, but Internacional goalkeeper Anthoni was rarely forced into a difficult save. As the game wore on, the hosts’ superior structure and energy became decisive.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Botafogo’s first warning came from a header inside the box, but Anthoni reacted well to push the ball away.
• 23rd minute: Internacional won a penalty after a handball in the area. Alan Patrick stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
• 41st minute: Botafogo’s Savarino curled a free kick narrowly wide as the visitors searched for an equaliser before half-time.
• 54th minute: Internacional doubled the lead when Wesley beat his marker on the right and cut the ball back for Borré, who finished low from close range.
• 68th minute: Botafogo made attacking changes and pushed their full-backs higher, but the hosts’ midfield continued to win the second balls.
• 78th minute: Wesley capped his performance with a curling effort from the edge of the box after a neat exchange with Alan Patrick.
• 84th minute: Botafogo’s late surge produced one dangerous cross, but Vitão cleared under pressure to preserve the clean sheet.

Tactical story

Internacional’s shape was flexible rather than rigid. Out of possession, they pressed in a compact block and forced Botafogo’s centre-backs to play into wide areas, where the home side could trap the ball near the touchline. In possession, Alan Patrick dropped deep to create numerical superiority in midfield, allowing the full-backs to advance and the wingers to attack the spaces behind Botafogo’s defensive line.

That approach worked especially well after the opening goal. Botafogo had to commit more players forward, and Internacional responded by attacking the gaps left behind. Borré’s goal was a perfect example: a quick regain, an aggressive run into the channel and a low cross that required only a simple finish. Wesley’s late strike was more individual, but it came from the same platform of control and confidence.

Botafogo’s evening was summed up by their difficulty in sustaining pressure. They enjoyed more of the ball in the second half but lacked penetration in the final third. Their midfield was often stretched when Internacional broke, and the back line had to defend repeatedly against runners arriving from deep. The visitors’ goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score respectable, but the margin could have been wider.

Standout players

Alan Patrick was the conductor. His penalty broke the deadlock, but his overall contribution — linking play, retaining possession under pressure and creating space for others — was just as important. Rafael Borré produced the kind of centre-forward display that lifts a team: intelligent movement, relentless pressing and a composed finish for the second goal. Wesley was the game’s most d