Copa do Brasil Wrap: Internacional, Flamengo post first-leg wins

Internacional have thumped second-tier America Mineiro 3-1 in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil third-round first-leg clash.

Captain Andres D’Alessandro led the way for Internacional at their temporary home, the Estadio Francisco Stedile in Caxias do Sul, scoring the equaliser and setting up the hosts’ third goal for Maurides.

Diego Forlan also got on the scoresheet for the home team, while Rodriguinho scored America’s goal in the first half as Internacional struggled to get going on Wednesday.

Internacional head coach Dunga would have been furious with his team at half-time as America, who are fifth in Brazil’s Serie B, made the hosts look second-rate.

The visitors from Mineiro took a deserved lead into the half-time break after Rodriguinho stepped past Internacional’s Juan and slotted a low shot into the bottom corner of the net in the 40th minute.

But Internacional turned the game around after the break with a penalty from D’Alessandro sparking Dunga’s team after America’s Jailton was judged to have handled the ball in the box, while Forlan put the hosts in front three minutes later.

With a minute remaining, Internacional wrapped up the win with Maurides powerfully heading D’Alessandro’s cross home at the near post to clinch a two-goal lead ahead of next week’s second leg in Mineiro.

Flamengo also picked up a two-goal lead on Wednesday cruising to a 2-0 win away to ASA, while in other Copa do Brasil results, Santos drew 1-1 with CRAC, Nacional AM defeated Ponte Preta 1-0 and Fortaleza were held to a scoreless draw by Luverdense.