Gremio last night crashed out of the Copa Libertadores at the first group stage after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Argentinian side San Lorenzo at the Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre.
Chasing a 1-0 first leg deficit, Gremio took the game the extra distance after an 83rd minute strike from attacking midfielder Dudu, but ultimately fell short when it came to spot kicks, losing 4-2.
And it was to non-Brazilian players to sin in the end, misses from Argentine striker Hernan Barcos and Uruguayan midfielder Maxi Rodriguez sealing the fate of Enderson Moreira’s charges.
The defeat leaves Cruzeiro as Brazil’s only representative in the last eight of South America’s leading club competition and Gremio must now raise themselves for Saturday’s league encounter away to Santos.
