Grêmio beats Cruzeiro 3-1 in friendly at Brasília’s Arena Mané Garrincha

Grêmio and Cruzeiro faced off in a pre‑season friendly at the Arena Mané Garrincha in Brasília. Grêmio won 3‑1, opening the scoring after 21 minutes with a strike from Carlos Vinícius, equalising for Cruzeiro through Sinisterra, and then Grêmio retook the lead via a header from Juan Nardoni. In the second half Matheus Nascimento converted a penalty to make it 3‑1, while Grêmio goalkeeper Gabriel Grando saved two Cruzeiro spot‑kicks.

The match served as the final preparation before the South American clubs resume official competition. Grêmio’s Paraguayan midfielder Mathías Villasanti, who returned to training after a long knee injury and missed the World Cup, was included in the squad and is being viewed as a reinforcement for the second half of the season. The event attracted local officials and fans, with a hospitality suite providing food and open bar for guests.