Gremio beat Lanus to win Copa Libertadores

Gremio won the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday after a 2-1 win over Argentine side Lanus gave the Brazilian team a 3-1 aggregate triumph and their third Libertadores title.

Fernandinho got Gremio’s first goal after 26 minutes when he stole possession in his own half before running 40 yards and hammering the ball home from just inside the penalty box.

Luan doubled their lead four minutes before half-time when he drifted past three defenders on the edge of the box and lifted a delightful chip over the helpless keeper.

Jose Sand pulled one back for Lanus from the penalty spot after 71 minutes.

Gremio, who also won the title in 1983 and 1995, had beaten the Argentine side 1-0 at home last week in Porto Alegre.

The win was a personal triumph for Gremio coach Renato Gaucho, who won the title with the club in 1983 and became the first Brazilian to lift the trophy as both a player and manager.

Attacking midfielder Luan was named the tournament’s best player.

Gremio were the better team overall, especially in the first half when Luan and Arthur were commanding in midfield.

Arthur limped off injured six minutes into the second period, allowing Lanus to come more into the game.

But neither Sand’s penalty – which took him on to nine goals and the tournament’s leading scorer – nor Ramiro’s sending off eight minutes from time could lift the home side past the resolute visitors.

“We are going to celebrate until Saturday, Sunday,” goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe said in a televised interview in front of thousands of ecstatic visiting fans.

“This is exciting, this is what these supporters deserve.”