Bahia 3-2 Internacional: Pulga double completes first-half turnaround

Bahia turn early deficit into 3-2 victory

Bahia came from behind to defeat Internacional 3-2 at Arena Fonte Nova on Sunday, August 30, securing a home win in Serie A Round 25. The hosts led 3-1 at half-time after overturning Alan Patrick’s opener, then held on when Vitinho reduced the gap early in the second half.

Pulga leads first-half turnaround

Internacional made the faster start and went ahead in the 16th minute. Alan Patrick finished a move assisted by Thiago Maia, giving the visitors an early advantage. Bahia responded seven minutes later, with Erick Pulga converting after Nicolas Acevedo’s assist.

Pulga struck again in the 42nd minute, this time finishing from A. Veliz’s delivery, to put Bahia in front. The home side then extended its lead before the interval when Erick scored in the 45th minute. The three goals in the final 23 minutes of the first half changed the direction of the match and gave Bahia a two-goal cushion.

Internacional came out with renewed purpose after the break. Vitinho scored in the 52nd minute, assisted by Alan Patrick, making it 3-2 and restoring pressure on the hosts. Bahia made two changes four minutes later, replacing Cristian Olivera with Ademir and Erick with Michel Araujo, while Internacional later introduced A. Sanabria, Calebe and J. Carbonero. Bahia also brought on Marcos Victor for R. Gomez in the 76th minute.

Bahia control possession despite equal shot totals

The final shot count was level at six apiece, but Bahia’s attacking efforts were more accurate: the hosts had five shots on target compared with two for Internacional. Bahia also recorded 66% possession, 312 total passes and 275 accurate passes, compared with Internacional’s 34%, 167 passes and 133 accurate passes. The expected-goals figures further reflected the difference in chance quality, with Bahia at 1.75 and Internacional at 0.29.

Internacional did have five shots inside the box to Bahia’s four, showing that the scoreline was not simply a product of territorial dominance. However, Bahia’s greater control and efficiency helped them protect their lead, while both teams finished with two goalkeeper saves recorded in total across the match data: Bahia’s goalkeeper made one and Internacional’s made two.

Discipline and league impact

The referee, Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva, issued bookings to P. Pezzolano and A. Bernabei for Internacional, while C. Olivera, R. Gomez, Michel Araujo and David Duarte were booked for Bahia at various stages. Bahia entered the round sixth with 37 points from 24 matches and now moves to 40 points after its ninth win. Internacional, listed 17th with 25 points before kick-off, remains on that total after a ninth defeat.

Erick Pulga was the standout performer, earning a rating of 8.9. He scored twice, registered three shots on target and played 50 minutes, providing the decisive attacking contribution in Bahia’s comeback.