Grêmio took a significant step toward the Copa do Brasil final with a 2-0 win over Atlético-MG at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre on Sunday. Carlos Vinícius and Noriega scored for the hosts, who will carry a two-goal advantage into the second leg.
Grêmio will advance with a draw or a defeat by one goal when the teams meet again on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte. Atlético-MG must win by three goals to qualify outright; a two-goal victory would send the tie to a penalty shootout.
Atlético-MG had more possession early in the match but struggled to convert its chances. Grêmio looked to attack on the counter, and the approach paid off in the 11th minute: goalkeeper Weverton launched the ball from his area, and Carlos Vinícius beat Léo Duarte before shooting into the right corner from near the edge of the penalty area.
Noriega doubled the lead two minutes into the second half after a move down Grêmio’s right flank. Atlético-MG threatened more late on, with Vitor Hugo hitting the crossbar with a header in the 48th minute. Grêmio then went down to 10 men when Gustavo Martins was sent off in the 50th.
Both teams have league matches in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday before the return leg. Grêmio, who are fighting to avoid relegation, face league leaders Flamengo at the Maracanã at 7:30 p.m. Atlético-MG meet Botafogo at the Nilton Santos at 9:30 p.m.
The winner of the Grêmio–Atlético-MG tie will face either Palmeiras or Vasco in the final. Palmeiras won the first leg 1-0 on Sunday at Nubank Parque in São Paulo. The final is scheduled as a single match on December 6 at Brasília’s Mané Garrincha Stadium.
A place in the final also brings a berth in the 2027 Copa Libertadores, provided the club is not in Brazil’s second division. The champion will enter the group stage directly, while the runner-up will play in the preliminary qualifying rounds.
Sources: Folha Esporte.