Once Caldas crashed out of the Copa Libertadores after they could only manage a 2-2 draw against Brazilians Internacional de Porto Alegre.
Caldas began the game hoping to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Brazil and made the perfect start when the referee awarded them a dubious penalty after just two minutes. Paraguayan Jorge Nuñez stepped up and hit home to the right of the Inter keeper.
Although Caldas continued to pile on the pressure and went close when a John Fredy Pajoy shot hit the post, the lead lasted less than ten minutes. A swift counter attack by the Brazilians took them into the Caldas area where Mauricio Casierra fouled Inter’s Oscar. The resulting penalty was dispatched by Argentine Andres D’Alessandro.
Just ten minutes later and Caldas were left reeling when D’Alessandro turned provider, feeding the ball to Tinga whose finish was too good for Caldas keeper Luis Martínez.
However, they were immediately back in the game three minutes later when Mario González capped off a fine team move with a sharp finish.
The breathless pace continued throughout the first half and both keepers were repeatedly tested, but neither team could find a way through.
In the second half, Inter fell back on the defensive, content to sit on their one goal advantage. Caldas continued to push but despite going close several times could not break down the Brazilians, ending their dreams of adding to their 2004 title.
