Grêmio delivered a shocker, punching their ticket to the 2026 Copa do Brasil final AND securing a spot in the 2027 CONMEBOL Libertadores, all while they are fighting for their life in a Brasileirão relegation battle. The Tricolor Gaúcho drew 1,1 with Atlético-MG on Saturday, closing out the semi-final series with a 3,1 aggregate victory in front of a packed Arena MRV. This is a team that’s currently sitting 18th in the league with just 37 points. Talk about defying the odds!
How They Pulled Off the Impossible
With a comfortable 2,0 lead from the first leg, Grêmio knew they had some wiggle room going into the Arena MRV. They could even lose by a goal and still advance. But Atlético-MG made it interesting early. Renan Lodi unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box just 25 minutes in, putting the home side up 1,0. Did Grêmio panic? Nope. Before halftime, Carlos Vinícius nodded home Noriega’s cross, leveling the score and giving Grêmio all the breathing room they needed.
The second half was a masterclass in defense. Goalkeeper Weverton barely had anything to do. The downpour in Belo Horizonte, which almost knocked out the lights at Arena MRV twice, plus a late red card for Atlético-MG’s center-back Vitão, seemed to make coach Renato Portaluppi’s team’s task even easier. They just held the line, locking up their spot in the final.
Crazy Stakes: Copa, Libertadores, and a Hefty Paycheck
This win is huge, not just for the Copa do Brasil final, but for so much more. The CBF ruled this season that *both* finalists in the domestic cup automatically qualify for the 2027 Libertadores. The champions go straight into the group stage, and the runners-up enter one of the preliminary knockout rounds. So, despite being deep in a relegation dogfight in the Brasileirão, Grêmio is going to Libertadores! They’re now chasing their sixth Copa do Brasil title and their fourth Libertadores crown. Coach Renato Portaluppi, who was also at the helm for their most recent domestic and continental triumphs, and was even the hero of their first Libertadores title in 1983, has done it again.
And let’s not forget the money. Reaching the final guarantees Grêmio R$34 million, and that number could jump to R$78 million if they win the whole thing. That’s a serious boost to the bank balance for a club in their current league predicament.
What’s Next for the Tricolor Gaúcho?
Grêmio now awaits their opponent in the one-off final on December 6 at Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília. It will either be Palmeiras or Vasco. Palmeiras currently holds a 1,0 lead from their first leg and needs just a draw in their Sunday match to advance. Vasco, on the other hand, needs to win by two goals to make it through, or by one goal to send it to penalties. With an international break coming up, Grêmio won’t play again until November 18, when they face Bahia in Porto Alegre for Matchweek 35 of the Brasileirão. The league fight continues, even with a major final and Libertadores spot now in the bag.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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