ELDORALDO DO SUL, Rio Grande do Sul (Interstat) — Marlon scored in the 39th minute and Fabian Balbuena added a second goal in the 52nd as Gremio defeated Athletico-PR 2-0 on Thursday at Estádio Airton Ferreira da Silva. Gremio took the lead late in the first half when Marlon scored the opening goal. Balbuena doubled the advantage early in the second half, giving the home side a two-goal cushion. Athletico-PR could not find a response and finished the match without a goal. Gremio held the visitors scoreless over the final stages and closed out the victory at home.

The first half included three yellow cards and Marlon’s goal. Portilla J. of Athletico-PR was booked in the 23rd minute, and Gremio’s Enamorado J. was cautioned in the 29th. Leo Derik received a yellow card in the 37th minute. Marlon then broke through in the 39th minute to give Gremio a halftime lead. Athletico-PR made two substitutions at halftime as it sought a way back into the match. Gremio went into the break with the advantage after limiting the visiting side to no goals.

Balbuena scored seven minutes into the second half to extend Gremio’s lead. The match included more bookings after the restart, with Carlos Vinicius of Gremio booked in the 66th minute, Noriega E. in the 69th and Zapelli B. of Athletico-PR in the 88th. Weverton of Gremio was cautioned in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Gremio made substitutions in the 67th, 68th, 79th and 87th minutes. Athletico-PR used substitutions in the 62nd, 80th and 89th minutes. Balbuena was replaced in the 68th minute after his goal. Athletico-PR could not produce a goal in the second half, and Gremio preserved the shutout.

Athletico-PR’s substitutions included Leo Derik and Portilla J. at halftime, Leozinho in the 62nd minute, Joao Cruz in the 80th and Mendoza S. in the 89th. Gremio’s substitutions included Carlos Vinicius and Enamorado J. in the 67th, Balbuena in the 68th, Amuzu F. in the 79th and Villasanti M. in the 87th. Gremio made five substitutions in total, and Athletico-PR also made five. The changes did not alter the scoreline.

Gremio improved to 2 wins and 1 loss in the competition and 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw across all competitions. Athletico-PR fell to 0 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw in the competition and 1 win, 2 losses and 2 draws across all competitions. The result followed a 1-0 Gremio win at Coritiba and a 4-2 loss to Cruzeiro in recent matches, while Athletico-PR had drawn 1-1 at Vitoria after a 2-0 home loss to Palmeiras. Gremio had also drawn 1-1 with Internacional earlier in the season. Athletico-PR also had a 4-1 win at Chapecoense-SC and a 2-2 draw with Atletico-MG earlier in the season. Gremio next hosts Atletico-MG in Copa do Brasil.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Gremio 2, Athletico-PR 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Gremio with a 94.6 percent probability to win. Gremio had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.25. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 2.5.