Gremio
Gremio and Internacional shared the spoils in a pulsating 1-1 draw in Serie A’s 30th round, Wallace Gomes da Silva Santos’ second-half strike canceling out Vitinho’s first-half opener in a derby dripping with tension.
The Arena do Grêmio crackled with anticipation as Brazil’s fiercest rivals locked horns, but it was the visitors who struck first. Internacional’s Alerrandro sliced through Gremio’s defense in the 33rd minute, squaring for Vitinho to slot home from close range – a sucker punch that silenced the raucous home support.
Gremio’s Possession Dominance Fails To Convert
Renato Gaúcho’s men dominated 67% possession and fired 12 shots, but for over an hour their attack floundered against Internacional’s compact low block. The frustration showed as Mathias Villasanti and Francis Amuzu picked up needless yellow cards, their desperation growing with each blocked shot (4) and wayward attempt (5 off target).
Wallace Writes His Name in Derby Folklore
The breakthrough came from an unlikely hero. Defender Wallace Gomes, charging forward as Gremio threw bodies forward, latched onto a loose ball in the 73rd minute and smashed a low drive past Anthoni – sending the Imortal Tricolor faithful into raptures. The scorer’s late yellow card for time-wasting only added to the drama.
Internacional’s Bruno Henrique joined three teammates in the book as Eduardo Baptista’s side committed 26 fouls to disrupt Gremio’s rhythm. But their 33% possession and only 3 shots on target showed a side clinging on against waves of pressure in the dying moments.
What This Result Means For Both Sides
A point apiece leaves this historic rivalry finely balanced – just like the 2024 league table where both clubs remain locked in mid-table safety. For Gremio, it’s evidence of their attacking intent (1.48 xG) but wastefulness in front of goal. Internacional will rue surrendering their lead but take pride in a typically dogged derby display.
As the Porto Alegre rivals trudged off, battered but unbowed, one truth remained: in Brazil’s most visceral footballing feud, there are never truly any losers – only warriors surviving another bloody battle.
Key Moments
33′ ⚽ Internacional — Vitinho (assist: Alerrandro)
73′ ⚽ Gremio — Wallace Gomes da Silva Santos
