The 444th Gre-Nal match between Grêmio and Internacional concluded with both clubs sharing points after a 1-1 draw, adding another chapter to one of Brazilian football's most storied rivalries. This gripping encounter occurred on February 8, 2025, at the Arena do Grêmio, marking it as part of the 6th round of the Campeonato Gaúcho.
The match was anticipated with great fervor, but the first half proved to be more about passion than goals. Both teams exhibited strong defensive stances, which resulted in few clear opportunities. Notably, Martin Braithwaite, the prominent forward for Grêmio, had his chance to score early but missed his header from close range.
A significant incident occurred during the first half when Roberto Ribas, the assistant coach for Internacional, was shown a red card for dissent. This incident triggered the unusual automatic expulsion of coach Roger Machado, who had to leave the technical area alongside his assistant as per tournament regulations. It was certainly a moment of confusion for the team, as many spectators and analysts commented on the peculiarities of such disciplinary actions.
After the break, the intensity of the match escalated. The defining moment came at the 24th minute of the second half when Grêmio was awarded a penalty kick. The foul was called when Wanderson from Internacional handled the ball during a free-kick situation, which led to a decision from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to uphold the penalty.
From the spot, Braithwaite scored confidently, placing the ball right down the middle, throwing the home crowd, which consisted of 45,364 enthusiastic fans, enraptured with excitement as the Tricolor took the lead. The atmosphere shifted, celebrating the perseverance of Grêmio who nudged the scoreline forward.
Yet, the celebrations were short-lived. Just minutes later, Internacional struck back fiercely. Fernando, capitalizing on the momentum, equalized with a well-placed header from an Alan Patrick corner kick, securing the draw almost instantaneously after Grêmio's goal. The defensive vulnerability displayed by Grêmio at such a pivotal moment left observers questioning their focus.
Despite Aravena and Pavón attempting to convert opportunities for Grêmio later on, the match lulled down, with some fans noting how both teams contributed equally to the competitive but fair nature of the play.
The match statistics revealed more telling signs; noticeably, Internacional had greater possession and attempted shots on goal compared to Grêmio. Yet their struggles to find the back of the net highlighted gaps remaining within their attack, as they could not turn control of the game fully to their advantage.
Overall, the historical stats from the rivalry were reiterated: this was the 444th face-off between the teams, with Internacional now holding 164 victories, Grêmio 141, and 139 draws. The fans knew very well just how significant their team's performance is within this renowned contest.
Following this match, Grêmio continued to lead Group A of the league with 11 points, having secured their position at the top, but they are being closely pursued by Guarany, whose matches were still pending at the time. Meanwhile, Internacional remained at the summit of Group B with 14 points, showcasing their positive form within this season.
Looking forward, Grêmio is set to play against Pelotas next, with the match commencing at 21:30 on February 11, followed by Internacional visiting São Luiz at 22:00 on February 12. Both teams will be eager to capitalize on this recent performance and improve their standings, but will have to balance future games with injuries and suspensions from this clash.
The history of Gre-Nal continues to evolve as both clubs aim for supremacy not only within the state but also within the competitive spirit of Brazilian football.