Gremio win Recopa Sudamericana

CAIRO – 22 February 2018: Brazilian Gremio defeated Argentine Independiente on penalties to win their second Recopa Sudamericana title.

The first leg in Argentina ended with a 1-1 draw. Luan Vieira opened the score for Gremio before his teammate Bruno Cortez scored an own goal to end the game at a stalemate.

In the second leg, Gremio needed to achieve a victory to win the title as the away goals rule would not be used if the second leg also ended with a draw.

Everton Soares had a chance to score for Gremio as he dribbled past Independiente’s goalkeeper, Martín Campaña but the defense stopped the ball before crossing the line to keep the draw.

Independiente were the better side after Everton’s chance, Leandro Fernández’s shot was saved by Gremio’s goalkeeper, Marcelo Grohe.

Luan missed a chance to open the score for Gremio before the half time to end the first half with a goalless draw.

In the second half, Gremio dominated the game and the substitute, Jael Ferreira missed two chances to score while the visitors failed to create chances to score to end the regular time 0-0 and the game went to extra time.

Gremio kept their dominance at the extra time and had many attempts through Jael and Luan but Campaña saved all their attempts to end the extra time with a draw and take the game to penalties.



Gremio scored all their penalties while Martín Benítez missed Independiente’s last penalty to crown Gremio Recopa Sudamericana champions.



This was Gremio’s second title after their first win in 1995 when they also defeated Independiente 4-1.