Having already secured a place in the quarter finals last week, Internacional refused to step their foot of the gas – running out 3-1 winners against Pelotas on Saturday. Two goals from former Manchester City striker Jô and one from Elton was enough for the Colorado to see off their rivals, who scored a consolation goal four minutes from time.
Playing at the same time, Grêmio were beaten by São Jose 2-1 at the Estádio do Passo d’Areia. Alex gave the Zequinha the lead four minutes in to the second half, before Maraba scored a second inside the 88th minute. André Lima managed to grab a goal back for the Tricolor two minutes in to stoppage time, but the Serie A side ran out of time to make a late comeback. Fortunately for Caio Junior, his side had already booked their place in to the quarter-finals of the Taça Piratini last week.
Campeonato Gaúcho – Taça Piratini
EC São José 2–1 Grêmio
Internacional 3–1 Pelotas
Juventude 2–1 Cruzeiro RS
Santa Cruz RS 4–0 Cerâmica
São Luiz 3–1 Avenida
Canoas 1–3 Caxias
Ypiranga Erechim 2–3 Veranópolis
Lajeadense 1–3 Novo Hamburgo
Taça Piratini quarter-finals
22/02 (WED) Internacional – Gremio
22/02 (WED) Caxias – EC São José
23/02 (THU) Novo Hamburgo – Lajeadense
23/02 (THU) Juventude – Veranópolis
