Grêmio continued their challenge at the top of the Brasileirão table with a 2-0 victory over stubborn visitors Náutico in the Estádio Olímpico.
Desite maintaining a measure of control in the game, it took a full-hour for Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s side to breakthrough and, when the goal eventually came, it was via one of two half-time substitutes, Marco Antônio.
With little movement ahead of him, the Grêmio midfielder let fly on a long-range effort that took goalkeeper Gideão by surprise to sneak in the corner.
Grêmio continued to push and it was half-time substitute Leandro who was doing much of the damage, with his pace and trickery a constant threat.
Indeed, it was Leandro who opened up play for his side’s second-goal, running at his defender before laying the ball inside for Kléber whose intuitive turn and shot left Gideão standing once more.
With the three points, Grêmio remain third with 47 points and move to within six of leaders Fluminense, whilst Náutico lie 14th with 28 points.
Elsewhere, in Rio de Janeiro, Internacional secured an away 1-1 draw with Botafogo that harms the host’s hopes of a Copa Libertadores place.
Leandro Damião opened the scoring for Inter midway through the second period, before Cidinho, another youngster starting to build on early promise, equalised for the Alvinegro at the Engenhão.
