Marlon and Balbuena fire Gremio to a 2-0 Serie A win

Gremio’s two-goal win built on first-half opener

Gremio beat Atletico Paranaense 2-0 at Arena do Grêmio, with Marlon opening the scoring in the 39th minute and Fabian Balbuena adding the last goal in the 52nd minute. The result gives Gremio three points despite Atletico controlling possession and completing 69% of the match’s ball circulation.

Atletico had more of the game territorially, recording 69% possession, 495 total passes and 14 shots to Gremio’s 31%, 220 passes and 17 shots. Gremio were more accurate in front of goal, registering five shots on target to Atletico’s four, while their expected-goals figure was 1.31 compared with Atletico’s 1.08. That contrast helped explain how the team with less of the ball secured the 2-0 scoreline.

The opener arrived before half-time when Marlon made it 1-0. Balbuena then doubled Gremio’s advantage seven minutes after the interval. Atletico made two substitutions at half-time and another in the 62nd minute, but could not reduce the deficit.

J. Portilla and Leo Derik were booked for Atletico before the break, while Gremio’s J. Enamorado was also cautioned. Weverton was Gremio’s standout performer with an 8.2 rating and four saves.

Gremio rose from 34 points before the match to 37 after 33 games. Atletico remained on 54 points, 17 ahead of Gremio, while Flamengo provisionally led Serie A with 73 points.