IMMORTAL TRICOLOR
Grêmio Destroys Caxias, 4-0, to Advance to Finals

Do you believe in miracles?

Facing a seemingly insurmountable three-goal deficit from the first leg of their semifinal series, Grêmio destroyed Caxias 4-0 at Olímpico Stadium to advance to the Gaúcho State Championship finals. In a display of complete domination, the Tricolor erased the deficit by halftime with Tuta providing the clincher in the 68th minute. Grêmio will now await the winner of the Juventude-Veranópolis series. Juventude won the first leg 2-0 in Veranópolis.

As soon as referee Leonardo Gaciba blew the opening whistle, Grêmio was on top of Caxias. The Tricolor’s advances came from all sides and in all forms. Carlos Eduardo, Tcheco, Lucas and Diego Souza were all over the field and confounded the Caxias defenders. As such, it did not take long for the first goal to materialize. In the 13th, Patrício broke into the area from the right side and beat goalkeeper Ricardo after his shot deflected off a defender: Grêmio, 1-0. The crowd rejoiced and began to cheer on their team even louder. Five minutes later, Carlos Eduardo broke into the area from the left and passed to Tuta. The striker’s shot hit the post and landed with Lucas, who then rolled the ball to Tcheco to complete the play: Grêmio, 2-0. Olímpico Stadium erupted into a frenzy. After less than 20 minutes of play, the Tricolor was one goal away from tying up the series. The crowd only quieted for a moment in the 29th when Lucas felt pain in his right thigh and had to leave the game.

Even without its best player, the Tricolor did not allow Caxias any breathing room. Flabbergasted, Edson Gaúcho used two of his substitutions in the first half alone to try and stop the Tricolor avalanche. But his maneuvering only delayed the inevitable. In the 43rd, Lúcio crossed into the area where Diego Souza connected with a header: Grêmio, 3-0. The aggregate score was now tied. If the game ended now, the series would be decided by a penalty kick shootout. But with 45 minutes left to play, no one in the stadium doubted that Grêmio would win it on the field.

Caxias finally found itself on the field in the second half. Edson Gaúcho’s adjustments did slow the Tricolor’s advances, but no one was stopping Grêmio on this night. In the 23rd, Sandro Goiano lofted a pass towards the left goalpost where Tuta outleaped Michell and headed in the series clincher: Grêmio, 4-0. With the needed scoreline achieved, Grêmio used its superior talent to control the ball and work down the clock. When the final whistle blew, the players ran to the stands to celebrate with their fans, who never stopped believing. The historic comeback was complete and Grêmio was on its way to defending its Gaúcho title.

This win was just the latest in the history of a club riddle with unreal comebacks. Sure, other teams have also produced impressive reversal of fortunes, but none has done it as consistently as Grêmio. Some teams are good; others are destined. After tonight, can anyone doubt that the Tricolor will lift the Gaúcho Championship trophy?

Grêmio (4)	Caxias (0)
Patrício (13') Tcheco (18') Diego Souza (41') Tuta (68')
Tcheco (58') Nunes (69')	Heverton (12') Jajá (33') Eduardo (41') Thiago Machado (55') Endrigo (77')
Venue:  Olímpico Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, William, Teco and Lúcio; Nunes, Lucas (Sandro, 27'), Diego Souza (William Magrão, 80') and Tcheco; Carlos Eduardo (Ramón, 87') and Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes	Caxias: Ricardo; Thiago Machado, Michell, Heverton and Jonathas (Endrigo, 17'); Willian, Jorge Luiz (Washington, 69'), Juninho and Oliveira; Jajá (Eduardo, 32') and Lima. Coach: Edson Gaúcho