Cruzeiro see off Grêmio 2–0 with second-half surge in Brasileirão
Cruzeiro EC produced a composed second-half display to defeat Grêmio FBPA 2–0 on matchday 12 of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A on Saturday, pulling clear after the interval thanks to goals from Christian and Lucas Romero.
The first half was tight and physical, with neither side able to break the deadlock. Cruzeiro’s aggression drew early disciplinary attention, as Fabrício Bruno was booked in the 20th minute. A flurry of cautions then arrived just before the break, with both Matheus Pereira and Lucas Villalba shown yellow cards in the 44th minute as tensions rose.
After the restart, Cruzeiro made a key change, bringing on Neizer Villarreal for Kaio Jorge at half-time, and the hosts soon seized control. The opener came in the 51st minute when Christian struck to make it 1–0, finishing a move created by Gerson’s assist.
Grêmio responded with a substitution of their own in the 57th minute, introducing Miguel Monsalve for Juan Ignacio Nardoni, but failed to convert their adjustments into chances. Their frustration showed when Erick Noriega received a yellow card on 61 minutes.
Cruzeiro doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Lucas Romero found the net after being set up by Matheus Pereira, giving the home side a 2–0 cushion and tightening their grip on the contest.
Both coaches turned to their benches in the final 20 minutes, with Cruzeiro managing the game through multiple midfield changes and Grêmio sending on attacking options including Tetê and later Martin Braithwaite. Grêmio’s late push never materialised into a goal, and further yellow cards for Gustavo Martins and Leonel Perez underlined the visitors’ frustration. Lucas Silva also went into the book for Cruzeiro in stoppage time.
The match finished 2–0 to Cruzeiro, a result that strengthens their position in the Serie A table. Detailed statistics such as shots, possession and attendance were not available at the time of writing.
Full match information and updates can be found at Ballaxy’s match centre, with team pages for Cruzeiro and Grêmio.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
SE Palmeiras
|
14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 33 | D W W D W |
| 2 |
CR Flamengo
|
13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 27 | D W W W W |
| 3 |
Fluminense FC
|
14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 26 | L W W L D |
| 4 |
São Paulo FC
|
14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 24 | D W L L W |
| 5 |
CA Paranaense
|
14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 23 | D W L W L |
| 6 |
EC Bahia
|
13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 22 | D D L W L |
| 7 |
RB Bragantino
|
14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 20 | W L W L W |
| 8 |
Coritiba FBC
|
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 19 | L L W D D |
| 9 |
EC Vitória
|
13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 18 | W L D W D |
| 10 |
Botafogo FR
|
13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 17 | L D W D W |
| 11 |
CA Mineiro
|
14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 17 | W L L L W |
| 12 |
SC Internacional
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 17 | W D L D W |
| 13 |
CR Vasco da Gama
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 17 | D L W D L |
| 14 |
Grêmio FBPA
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 17 | D W L D D |
| 15 |
Cruzeiro EC
|
14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 16 | L W W W L |
| 16 |
Santos FC
|
14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 15 | D D L W L |
| 17 |
SC Corinthians Paulista
|
14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 15 | L W D D L |
| 18 |
Mirassol FC
|
13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 12 | W L W L L |
| 19 |
Clube do Remo
|
14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 11 | W L L D D |
| 20 |
Chapecoense AF
|
13 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 8 | L L L L D |
