RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 7 -- In the 22nd round of the 2011 Brazilian Championship, home team Internacional cruised to an impressive 4-2 victory over America-MG on Wednesday.
It was Internacional's first victory over the last four games in the competition.
Internacional took a comfortable 3-0 lead within the first 13 minutes of play. Rodrigo Moledo headed in his team's first goal in the second minute, followed by Leandro Damiao in the seventh and D'Alessandro in the 13th.
America-MG scored its first goal in the 24th minute when Andre Dias headed in a crossed ball from Marcos Rocha. Internacional's keeper Muriel was able to swat the ball, but could not prevent it from entering the goal.
Internacional scored its fourth and final goal of the match in the 34th minute when Oscar dominated the ball inside of the penalty box, drove past his defender and slammed a perfect shot into the upper right corner of the America-MG goal.
America-MG scored its final goal of the match in the 36th minute. Off a centered ball from the lower right side of the field, Kempes rose above the defense to head a ball towards Muriel. The goalie once again was able to put his glove on the ball, but again could not keep the ball from entering his goal.
Despite an intense and extremely active first half, the second half was scoreless and Internacional eased to a well-needed victory. The result provisionally improves the team to seventh place with 32 points. In the next round of play the team will travel to face Palmeiras on September 11.
America-MG remains in 20th and dead-last place with 17 points. In the next round of play the team will receive Avai on September 10.