Gremio beat Interactional 2-1

Gremio defeated archrival Internacional 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the first half of the Rio Grande do Sul state championship on Wednesday. With the firing of Caio Junior as head coach and the recent signing of Vanderlei Luxemburgo, interrim head coach Roger Machado successfully handled the "classic". Luxemburgo will receive his official presentation to the media and fans on February 23. Gremio claimed the lead in the 16th minute as Leo Gago took advantage of a loose ball and fired it at the Internacional goal. The ball deflected off the goalpost and rolled into the back of the goal. Internacional tied the match in the 27th minute when Leandro Damiao drove through the defense and slid the ball past an approaching keeper Victor. Gremio reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute when Marco Antonio lofted the ball down field to Kleber. Catching up to the ball, Kleber scored an amazing goal. The win advances Gremio into the semifinals of the Piratini Cup. The team will face Caxias on February 26 for a spot in the finals of the first half of the state championship.