Gremio vs Cruzeiro

The decisive phase arrived in the second half when Cruzeiro were awarded two penalties — and Grêmio goalkeeper Gabriel Grando saved both.

First, Kaio Jorge stepped up after a Kannemann foul on Gerson in the box. Grando read the kick and saved with his legs (68'). Minutes later, after a mass of substitutions on both sides, debutant Gabriel Pec was fouled in the area and took the ball himself. Grando again guessed correctly, parrying the shot to keep Grêmio ahead (79').

Those two saves drained Cruzeiro's momentum. Grêmio then sealed the result in stoppage time when Riquelme Freitas was pulled down by João Marcelo in the box. Debutant Matheus Nascimento — who had replaced Carlos Vinícius earlier — converted the penalty in the 90th minute to make it 3-1.

• Gabriel Grando (Grêmio) — Two penalty saves from a possible two. Starting in place of Weverton (rested after the World Cup), the 24-year-old produced the defining performance of the match. Named Player of the Match.

• Carlos Vinícius (Grêmio) — Opened the scoring with a composed finish and led the line effectively before being substituted on 61 minutes.

• Juan Nardoni (Grêmio) — Scored the crucial second goal with a well-timed header from Pavón's cross, putting Grêmio ahead for good before half-time.

• Matheus Nascimento (Grêmio) — The new signing came off the bench and scored a debut goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

The match featured three penalties — a rare event in any fixture. Grêmio converted one (Matheus Nascimento, 90+') and Cruzeiro missed both (Kaio Jorge 68', Gabriel Pec 79'), a 33% conversion rate from the spot. Grêmio made 10 substitutions across the second half; Cruzeiro made seven, reflecting the pre-season nature of the contest. The first half produced three goals from open play; the second half yielded only the penalty goal, as both sides rotated heavily.

This was Grêmio's third and final pre-season friendly ahead of the Brasileirão restart. Luís Castro's side had previously beaten Cascavel 2-1 and lost to Chapecoense 1-2. The win over Cruzeiro provides momentum heading into the season's resumption.

Cruzeiro, who beat Defensor 2-0 in their previous friendly, now know they will face a Grêmio side with genuine defensive resilience if Grando continues in goal.

Next fixtures: Grêmio host Mirassol on 17 July; Cruzeiro face Internacional on 22 July as the Brasileirão resumes after the World Cup break.

A pre-season friendly played with genuine intensity — three goals in the first half, two saved penalties in the second, and a debut goal for Matheus Nascimento. Gabriel Grando's double save display was the difference, and Grêmio's depth showed in a win that carries more weight than the average warm-up fixture.