Grêmio draw with Atlético-MG in Belo Horizonte and reach the Copa do Brasil final
With the 1-1 at Arena MRV, the team from Rio Grande do Sul cash in on their first-leg win and reach their tenth final; a Libertadores spot depends on avoiding relegation.
Translated from the Portuguese original by the Panorama newsroom. Read in Portuguese
Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.
Grêmio secured a place in the Copa do Brasil final by drawing 1-1 with Atlético-MG on Saturday (7th) at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte, Folha de S.Paulo reported. Having won the first leg 2-0 in Porto Alegre, the team from Rio Grande do Sul only needed a draw; Atlético needed to win by two goals to take the tie to penalties.
Atlético dominated the first half and opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a shot by Renan Lodi from the edge of the box. Grêmio responded with their only chance of the half: Erick Noriega crossed and Carlos Vinícius headed in the equalizer. Goalkeeper Weverton made important saves, and the home side finished the first half with 72% of possession.
In the second half, Renato Gaúcho reinforced the midfield by bringing on defensive midfielder Dodi, and the team began to defend better. Renan Lodi was one-on-one with Weverton in the 27th minute after a pass from Fred, but was denied by the goalkeeper. Heavy rain left puddles on the artificial pitch, and Atlético defender Vitão was sent off in the 42nd minute for striking Braithwaite's head with his foot.
It will be Grêmio's tenth Copa do Brasil final; the club won the tournament in 1989, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2016. The final is scheduled for December 6, against the winner of Vasco vs. Palmeiras, who meet on Sunday (8th) at São Januário; the São Paulo side won the first leg 1-0.
Qualifying gives Grêmio the right to a spot in the 2027 Libertadores, but taking part depends on the club avoiding relegation: since 2024, Conmebol only admits teams from their countries' top divisions. Grêmio are 18th in the Brazilian league with 37 points, with four rounds to go. Atlético-MG, seventh in the league, now turn their attention to the Copa Sudamericana final against Boca Juniors on November 21 in Barranquilla, Colombia.