Analysis The numbers behind the result
Vitoria edge wasteful Gremio on tighter finishing
Vitoria's 1-0 win was a fair reflection of a game where their superior chance creation and sharper finishing proved decisive. Despite Gremio enjoying 54% possession and completing 399 accurate passes compared to Vitoria's 322, the hosts were more clinical in the final third. Vitoria registered 20 total shots, with 10 inside the box and 6 on target, significantly outperforming Gremio's 11 total shots and just 4 inside the penalty area. Carlos Rene's 63rd-minute strike, assisted by Matheusinho, was the difference.
Tactically, Vitoria's compact 4-2-3-1 shape allowed them to soak up Gremio's possession and hit decisively on the break. Gremio's 5 yellow cards, including two in quick succession to Pedro Gabriel and Cristian Pavón in the first half, disrupted their rhythm and forced early substitutions. Despite their territorial dominance, Gremio created just 1 corner compared to Vitoria's 6, highlighting their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
The key stat was Vitoria's superior shot volume - their 20 attempts to Gremio's 11 told the story of a side who turned their possession into threats more effectively, even if only one found the net.