“Marcos Antônio gave São Paulo a sucker-punch lead in first-half stoppage time, capitalising on sustained Grêmio pressure that had produced two blocked shots and an offside call in the preceding minutes.”
Pivotal“Wallace levelled immediately after the restart, heading home a Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais assist from a corner to restore parity just three minutes into the second half and breathe life back into Grêmio.”
Pivotal“Cristian Pavón struck four minutes from time to win it for Grêmio, converting after Cauly's earlier effort had been blocked and a Pablo Maia shot had gone wide, completing the turnaround against a São Paulo side who had created more chances but failed to hold their lead.”
Pivotal“The final whistle was preceded by a mass flare-up involving four yellow cards in stoppage time — Marlon, André Silva, Robert Arboleda and Walter Kannemann all booked in a heated exchange that reflected the tension of a match São Paulo were desperately trying to salvage.”
Grêmio
São Paulo
Outstanding performance
Grêmio•MidfielderGrêmio came from behind to claim all three points in a match that only truly ignited in its final stages. São Paulo had looked composed for much of the contest, controlling 52% of possession and generating 17 shots — more than their hosts — before Marcos Antônio broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a lead they scarcely deserved to take into the break. Grêmio responded almost immediately after the restart, with Wallace heading home a Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais assist from a corner just three minutes into the second half to restore parity. From there, Grêmio manager leaned heavily on his bench, introducing Dodi, Bobadilla, André Silva and Braithwaite to shift the game's momentum, and it was that persistence that ultimately paid off when Cristian Pavón coolly finished at the back post in the 86th minute to seal the three points. São Paulo's wastefulness in front of goal was telling — they squandered three big chances compared to Grêmio's two, and their 19 fouls and four yellow cards in stoppage-time arguments reflected a side that had lost their discipline along with the match. For Grêmio, sitting ninth in the Serie A table, this is a result that keeps them in contention for a European place push, while São Paulo's failure to hold a lead will sting in what looks increasingly like a pivotal stage of their season.
How entertaining was this match?
Robert ArboledaYellow CardYellow card for Robert Abel Arboleda Escobar.
Walter Kannemann Yellow CardWalter Kannemann receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
André SilvaYellow CardYellow card issued to Andre Oliveira Silva.
Corner awarded.
Leonel Perez comes on for Cristian Pavon.
Yellow card shown to Andre Oliveira Silva.
Yellow card issued to Marlon Rodrigues Xavier.
Robert Abel Arboleda Escobar's header is saved.
Robert Abel Arboleda Escobar takes a shot with his head, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Gustavo Santana comes on for Pablo Maia.
Corner awarded.
Cristian Pavon takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Goal! Cristian Pavon scores, making it 2-1.
Pablo Maia takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Cauly Oliveira Souza takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Diego Caito receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
On comes Martin Braithwaite, off goes Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais.
Andre Oliveira Silva is substituted for Jonathan Calleri.
LucianoYellow CardYellow card shown to Luciano da Rocha Neves.
Offside.
Cauly Oliveira Souza is on, and Aldemir Dos Santos Ferreira is off.
Damian Bobadilla comes on for Daniel de Oliveira Sertanejo.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Aldemir Dos Santos Ferreira takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Pablo Maia takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jonathan Calleri attempts a header but misses the shot.
Douglas Moreira Fagundes is substituted off for Juan Ignacio Martin Nardoni.
Shot - Wallace Head Shot Missed
Pablo Maia takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Aldemir Dos Santos Ferreira takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
WallaceWallace takes a shot with his head and scores a goal.
assist: Carlos Vinícius
Goal! Wallace scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais.
Mathias Villasanti takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Francis Amuzu replaces Jovane Cabral.
Mathias Villasanti receives a yellow card.
First half ends with a score of 0-1.
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
Offside.
Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Mathias Villasanti takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner kick awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Aldemir Dos Santos Ferreira takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Aldemir Dos Santos Ferreira takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Juan Ignacio Martin Nardoni takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Offside.
Shot - Jonathan Calleri Head Shot Missed
Jovane Cabral takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais takes a shot with his head, but it's blocked.
Kick-off! The referee is Andre Luis Skettino Policarpo Bento.
Grêmio sit just one place above the relegation zone and desperately need points at home against a São Paulo side that has won four of their last five matches. With squad uncertainty, injury doubts, and recent heavy defeats fresh in the memory, Luis Castro's men face a pivotal Saturday at Arena do Grêmio.
