Copa do Brasil 2026: Gremio reach semis after convincing win over Internacional
Copa do Brasil 2026: Gremio condemned their rivals Internacional to another season without major trophy success after a win in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.
After a goalless draw in the first leg, Internacional started the game at Arena do Grêmio brightly. A defensive error by the hosts almost proved costly, but a last-ditch tackle saved their blushes.
But despite the visitors’ positive start, it was Gremio that went ahead. A corner in the 14th minute saw the ball ricochet kindly for Carlos Vinícius, who headed his side in front. Still, Internacional were not deterred and once again caught Gremio’s defence sleeping, but Alan Patrick’s left-footed strike went just wide of the goal.
In the 22nd minute, they were punished again after a slick counterattack. Francis Amuzu was played through, and he burst in from the left wing before passing a low cross for Vinícius to finish the job at the far post. Paulo Pezzolano’s side still kept threatening, and Weverton had to parry away Alexandro Bernabei’s low strike from the left side.
In the second half, Gremio exerted more control, and Vinícius was denied a hat-trick by Matheus Cunha. But their pressure paid off. Amuzu played a neat one-two with Tete before crossing the ball for Filip Krovinovic to rifle home their third goal in the 68th minute. Inter grabbed a consolation when Patrick dinked the ball for Vitinho, who scored from a header in the 79th minute.
Gremio saw off the win and sealed progress to the semi-finals, and Internacional have a lot to ponder over.
Curva Analysis
Following the full-time whistle at Arena do Grêmio, the home side taunted their rivals. The sound system played the waltz, and fans poked fun at Internacional’s 15-year drought without a major title.
Apart from the stakes in the Gre-Nal derby, this tie was also significant for both sides for other reasons. Both teams have had disappointing league campaigns, with Immortal Tricolor in 15th place with 28 points and Internacional mired in the relegation zone in the 18th spot.
Thus, for Gremio, this result restores belief that this campaign could yet turn out to be successful despite their struggles. Luis Castro’s side will now play Atlético-MG in the semis, who knocked out Cruzeiro 3-2 on aggregate in their quarter-final tie.
As for Internacional, this defeat prolongs their wait for a major trophy. Their last major honour came in 2011 when they won the Recopa Sudamericana. The wait for domestic success has been even longer for one of Brazil’s biggest sides.
Their last league title came in 1979, and the club last won the Copa do Brasil 34 years ago in 1992. The focus will now turn to their league campaign, where they remain three points from safety.
The current run of form takes fans back to the dark days of 2016, when the two-time Copa Libertadores winner was relegated for the first time in its history. The cup offered a distraction from the league troubles, but now their fans will have an anxious end to the season to see whether their club can avoid the drop to the second division.
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