Corinthians and Grêmio draw in tense match for the Copa do Brasil

On Wednesday night (31), Neo Química Arena was the stage for the clash between Corinthians and Grêmio in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The match, held at 9 pm, Brasília time, was marked by an intense tactical dispute and a lack of goals.

A lot of intensity

The first half was lively, despite the few shots on goal. Both teams adopted a strategic stance, carefully studying each move of their opponent. Grêmio had the best opportunity to open the scoring with a play led by Cristaldo and Villasanti, but goalkeeper Hugo Souza shone.

by making a spectacular save, preventing Grêmio from taking advantage. The game remained balanced, with the teams fighting for every inch of the field and offering little space for creating offensive plays.

With the dispute fierce, the first half ended without changes in the score.

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_{Hugo Souza, Corinthians goalkeeper (Reproduction/ gettyimages Embed)}

Tepid game and goal disallowed in injury time

In the second half, the match maintained the same balanced dynamic as the first half. In the eighth minute, Villasanti, from Grêmio, controlled the ball and was fouled hard by Raniele. After a VAR review, referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique decided to send off the Corinthians player, leaving the team with one less player for more than 35 minutes.

Even with an extra player, Grêmio was unable to effectively score Hugo Souza's goal. The classic followed the same dynamic, with a lot of intensity and few chances to change the initial score. The teams were very poor in the final pass.

The team held off the opponent well, but did not pose any danger to the Grêmio goalkeeper.

The referee added 6 more minutes to the regular time, and in the 46th minute Giovane took advantage of a pass from Hugo Souza, disputed the ball with Reinaldo in the area, gained the advantage and finished over Marchesín. Still in injury time, Gustavo Nunes from Grêmio was sent off after stretching his arm in a dispute with Pedro Henrique.

Much to the detriment of what the teams could offer, the game continued until the end with the same intensity, but was hampered by finishing errors.

Return game

The match that will decide who will get a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 7th, at the Couto Pereira Stadium, in Curitiba.

Featured photo: Players compete for a play. Reproduction x @meutimao/ Credits: Jhony Inácio / Meu Timão