Tricolor joins Corinthians, Chapecoense and São Paulo in the list of Brazilians who fell in the preliminary round of the continental tournament
Playing in the Arena, Grêmio lost 2-1 to Independiente de Valle-EQU and stayed out of Libertadores. The match valid for the third phase of the competition, consecrated the Ecuadorian team in the group stage of the tournament. The team now joins Palmeiras, Defensa y Justicia-ARG and Universitário-PER, all in Group A.
Grêmio had countless chances to open the scoring in the first half. But he only stamped the nets in one, in a beautiful shot from outside Jean Pyerre’s area. In the additions of the first stage, Del Valle came to a draw, after a good free kick from Ortiz. In the second half, Maicon was sent off, and soon after, the same Ortiz took advantage of the failure of the gaucho defense to score the second goal, decreeing the victory and the classification of the Ecuadorians.
With the early fall, Grêmio joined Corinthians, Chapecoense and São Paulo, in an undesirable list of Brazilians who left Libertadores even before the group stage of the competition. Eliminated, the gaucho tricolor will now play in the South American Cup, composing the H bracket alongside Aragua-VEN, La Equidad-COL and Lanús-ARG.
By Gustavo Castilho
