The cold night of Thursday (29) was unable to stop Grêmio. With two more players, and despite Arezo's missed penalty, Tricolor beat Sportivo Luqueño-PAR 1-0 and ended its participation in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana with a triumph at the Arena in front of a small crowd of 5,000 fans. Riquelme was responsible for the only goal. Despite the victory, coach Mano Menezes' team remained in 2nd place in Group D with 12 points and was unable to avoid the playoffs of the competition. With that, Tricolor will face Peruvians Alianza Lima to see who advances to the round of 16. The duels will be on July 15 and 22.
Even with the Gauchos' alternate lineup on the field,
the technical difference between the teams was huge . The first few minutes of the game were marked by a lot of ball handling and patience on the Grêmio side. That's how, at ten minutes, Lucas Esteves received the ball on the left side of the opponent's area and crossed low to Arezo, who, due to the collision received by Marchio, did not reach it. This contact, which the referee checked on the VAR and signaled a penalty for the home team. However,
the Uruguayan was inaccurate in his shot and goalkeeper Mongelos saved it, delaying the tricolor goal. Opportunities came again in the 20th minute with Nathan . The midfielder received a great cross from Aravena and headed weakly for the goalkeeper to save. Despite the cold weather, tempers flared in the 37th minute, when Elvio Vera left his leg on Nathan and received a straight red card.
With numerical superiority and more quality on the feet, Grêmio launched a blitz for the rest of the first half. At 48, two chances. Lucas Esteves took advantage of the leftover corner kick and shot dangerously, requiring another good save from Mongelos who palmed the ball away for a corner kick. Gustavo Martins once again headed the ball dangerously, but it was stopped by the Paraguayan wall.
In the second half, Pavon and André Henrique almost opened the scoring at eleven minutes, with two strong shots from both, which, again, were stopped by the goalkeeper. After the two chances, with an unproductive possession of the ball, Tricolor barely threatened Sportivo Luqueño, who defended successfully.
But in the 29th minute,
Mano and the 18-year-old Riquelme's star performance, along with the relief of the fans, put Grêmio ahead on the scoreboard. Pavón crossed low into the area, the youngster shot first time, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper,
and opened the score at the Arena . There was still time for another expulsion of the Paraguayans, when Benítez hit the Grêmio player and was sent to the street, in the 40th minute. With the final whistle, Mano Menezes' team changed its focus to the Brazilian Championship. Tricolor goes up the mountain to face Juventude, on Sunday (1), at 4 pm, at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, in a match valid for the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship.
Grêmio (1) - Gabriel Grando; Gustavo Martins, Jemerson, Viery (André Henrique) and Lucas Esteves; Ronald, Camilo (Riquelme) and Nathan (Cristaldo); Aravena (Cristian Olivera), Pavon and Arezo. Coach: Mano Menezes.
Sportivo Luqueño (0) - Mongelos; Ocampo, Villalba, Marchi and Pasadore; Angel Benitez, Fernando Benitez (sent off), Kevin Pereira (Comas) and Joaquin Paredes; Alborno and Elvio Vera (sent off). Coach: Gustavo Morínigo
Referee - José Cabero (CHI).
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