RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Fortaleza missed the chance to move to the top of Brazil's Serie A standings on Wednesday, stumbling to a 2-1 defeat at Internacional.
Alan Patrick gave the hosts the lead with a 21st-minute strike but Cristian Chagas equalized on the stroke of halftime.
Gustavo Prado restored Internacional's advantage with a powerful left-footed drive seven minutes from time.
The visitors' chances of victory all but evaporated two minutes later when Emanuel Britez was sent off for a second yellow card following a rash challenge.
The result leaves Fortaleza second in the 20-team standings with 48 points from 25 games, two points behind leaders Botafogo. Internacional are eighth, 13 points further back.
"We didn't start the match well. Inter were better in the first 20 minutes, we fell way behind and only started to take the initiative after conceding a goal," Fortaleza manager Juan Vojvoda said.
"We reacted well, drew level, and the second half was more balanced. We know that we can improve a lot." ■
