Brazilian side Internacional took a large step towards their first ever Copa Sudamericana triumph with a 1-0 victory away to Estudiantes in the first leg of the final on Wednesday night.Estudiantes were defending a forty-plus game unbeaten run at home going into the fixture, but despite going down to the ten men early in the second half due to the dismissal of Pablo Guinazu, it was Internacional who looked the more threatening side throughout.
Alex and Andres D'Alessandro offered the away side a creative spark in midfield, providing the lone striker Nilmar with plenty of quality service, especially during the opening period. It was from a D'Alessandro pass that Nilmar won the penalty from which Internacional scored their winner - the in-form striker brought down by Leandro Desabato inside the area.
Alex showed a cool head to dispatch the penalty at the second attempt after Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla ruled out his original take, and Internacional were then rarely troubled as they held onto their single goal advantage going into next week's decisive home leg.
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