Gremio defeats Universidad Católica 2-0 in the Copa Libertadores

The Tricolor club from Porto Alegre, which provisionally took over the top spot in Group E, can secure its place in the next phase this Tuesday if Internacional, its traditional cross-town rival, defeats the Colombian team América or manages to draw in Cali.

Goals from Pepé and makeshift defender Rodrigues allowed Gremio to gather 10 points in 5 matches, so if Inter doesn't help them, they will only need a draw in their last match to secure qualification.

On the other hand, Universidad Católica will only stay alive if América defeats Internacional, but even then they will need to score a high number of goals in their last match and rely on a combination of results to advance to the Round of 16.

The Tricolor, who last week defeated Internacional away from home by the minimum margin, not only reversed the 2-0 defeat they suffered against Universidad Católica in their visit, but also put an end to a five-match winless streak at their home ground, the Arena do Gremio, which is unprecedented in their history.

Gremio prevailed despite an inconsistent first half and the fact that coach Renato Gaúcho had to improvise a team due to numerous absences, which were joined at the last minute by their starting defenders Pedro Geromel and Walter Kannemann, who tested positive for COVID-19 a few hours before the match.

In the match itself, Gremio was the first to try with a shot from Cortes that went over the crossbar, and a minute later goalkeeper Vanderlei had to shine to prevent Aued from opening the scoring for Católica with a volley after a corner kick.

After the scare, the Porto Alegre team took more control of the ball and almost opened the scoring.

Despite Gremio's reaction, the Chileans launched some attacks, but they always found Colombian full-back Luis Manuel Orejuela well positioned, one of the protagonists of the first half.

Orejuela even ventured forward and, after a solo run on the left, almost surprised goalkeeper Dituro.

Católica's corner kicks became a constant nuisance for Gremio.

The team led by Renato Gaúcho returned for the second half determined to reverse Católica's dominance, and it only took them two minutes for Pepé to open the scoring after receiving an assist from Diego Souza.

Pepé became the goal-scoring alternative as Souza, the top scorer of the season with 11 goals, hasn't scored in four matches and has yet to find the net in the Libertadores.

Pepé himself, who replaced the scorer Everton 'Cebolinha' in Gremio, almost extended the lead five minutes later but shot over the goal from inside the box.

Católica launched attacks mainly through Fuenzalida and Pinares, who were met with strong resistance from Gremio's makeshift central defensive duo.

But they left space for Gremio's counterattacks, one of which, in the 63rd minute, saw Rodrigues, who had already given Dituro a scare, score Gremio's second goal after receiving a pass from Alisson.

- Match details:

2. Gremio: Vanderlei; Luis Manuel Orejuela, David Braz, Rodrigues (Ruan, 81'), Bruno Cortes; Matheus Henrique, Darlán, Robinho (Thaciano, 67'), Alisson (Lucas Araújo, 90'); Pepé (Ferreira, 80') and Diego Souza (Luiz Fernando, 90').

Coach: Renato Gaúcho.

0. Universidad Católica: Matías Dituro; José Pedro Fuenzalida, Germán Lanaro, Valber Huerta, Raimundo Rebolledo; Luciano Aued, Ignacio Saavedra, César Pinares, Gastón Lezcano; Fernando Zampedri, and Edson Puch.

Coach: Ariel Holan.

Goals: 1-0, 47': Pepé. 2-0, 63': Rodrigues.

Referee: Argentine Facundo Tello cautioned Orejuela, Fuenzalida, Aued, Robinho, and Rebolledo.

Incidents: Matchday five of Group E in the Copa Libertadores played without spectators at the Arena do Gremio stadium in Porto Alegre.