Grêmio 2 Independiente Santa Fe 1: Luxemburgo’s team win despite Cris being sent-off

Grêmio secured a 2-1 victory over Independiente Santa Fe on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last 16 tie at the Grêmio Arena, but were made to sweat for the victory over the Columbians after being reduced to 10 men following a red card to defender Cris early in the second […]
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sambafoot_admin
2013-05-02 11:35:00

Grêmio secured a 2-1 victory over Independiente Santa Fe on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last 16 tie at the Grêmio Arena, but were made to sweat for the victory over the Columbians after being reduced to 10 men following a red card to defender Cris early in the second half.

A near full house in Porto Alegre saw the home side dominate the first half and create a number of chances to take the lead, including an Elano effort against the bar, before Eduardo Vargas headed in Alex Telles’s cross on 27 minutes.

Grêmio head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who is banned from the touchline for his part in the brawl which marred the draw against Huachipato last month, would have been pleased with his side’s first half but his mood would have quickly changed to dispair 10 minutes into the second half.

Cris, who was just back from suspension having been sent-off against Fluminense in the group stage, received a straight red for his foul in the area. The resulting penalty was expertly dispatched by Independiente midfielder Omar Pérez to make it 1-1.

With the away side starting to take charge of the game, Grêmio threw on two young players to add some energy into their game, with new recruit Gabriel coming on for Elano and Guilherme Biteco replacing Alex Telles, with André Santos moving back into the left back slot.

And these changes seemed to do the trick. The tricolor started to push forward again and eventually made the break through with 10 minutes remaining.

A Grêmio cross was cleared to the edge of the box straight to Fernando, who control the ball on his chest, let the ball bounce before firing the ball past Vargas in the Columbian goal to give the Brazilians a precious lead.

Grêmio will now travel to Columbia in two weeks time (16th May) for the second leg, knowing a draw will be enough to see them progress to the quarter-final.

GRÊMIO: Dida; Pará, Cris, Bressan, Alex Telles (Guilherme Biteco – 27’/2ºT); Fernando, Souza; André Santos, Elano (Gabriel – 11’/2ºT); Vargas, Barcos (Kleber – 41’/2ºT)- Coach: Roger.

INDEPENDIENTE SANTA FE: Vargas; Roa, Valdés, Meza, García; Anchico, Torres, Bedoya (Valencia – 21’/2ºT), Omar Pérez; Cuero (Borja – 17’/2ºT), Wilder Medina – Coach: Wilson Gutiérrez.

Goals: Vargas (G), 27’/1ºT (1-0); Pérez (I), 9’/2ºT (1-1) and Fernando (G), 35’/2ºT (2-1)

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