In a stunning performance that marked a historic moment for the club, Mirassol defeated Grêmio 4-1 on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Estádio José Maria de Campos Maia. This victory not only represents Mirassol's first win in the top flight of the Campeonato Brasileiro but also places them firmly in the mid-table with five points from four matches. Meanwhile, Grêmio's struggles continue, leaving them in the relegation zone with just three points.
The match began with an explosive start, as Daniel Borges opened the scoring for Mirassol just two minutes into the game. Receiving a well-placed pass, Borges skillfully maneuvered past Grêmio's defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net, leaving goalkeeper Tiago Volpi with no chance. This early goal set the tone for the rest of the match, putting Grêmio on the back foot right from the start.
Mirassol continued to assert their dominance, and by the 20th minute, they had doubled their lead. A foul by Grêmio's goalkeeper, Volpi, on Gabriel inside the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick for Mirassol. Reinaldo, a former Grêmio player, stepped up to take the penalty and expertly converted it, sending the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. This goal not only showcased Mirassol's attacking prowess but also added a layer of drama, as Reinaldo celebrated against his former club.
As the match progressed, Grêmio's woes deepened. They were awarded a penalty of their own at the 8-minute mark when Braithwaite was brought down in the box. However, after a review by VAR, the referee overturned the decision, much to the dismay of the Grêmio players and fans.
Despite the setback, Grêmio struggled to create significant chances, and Mirassol capitalized on their disorganization. The home side continued to pressure, and in the 33rd minute of the second half, Reinaldo struck again, this time from a free kick. His beautifully curled shot sailed over the wall and into the net, extending Mirassol's lead to 3-0. The jubilant home crowd erupted in cheers, relishing the sight of their team dominating a club with Grêmio's pedigree.
Grêmio finally found the scoreboard in the 36th minute when Martin Braithwaite executed a lovely chip shot over Mirassol's goalkeeper, Alex Muralha, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed just three minutes later when Daniel Borges scored his second goal of the match, sealing the victory for Mirassol at 4-1. He received a pass from Edson Carioca inside the box and finished with precision, putting an exclamation point on a remarkable team performance.
The statistics from the match reflect Mirassol's efficiency in front of goal, as they managed to convert their chances better than their opponents. Mirassol recorded six shots on target compared to Grêmio's eight, but they were far more clinical, making their chances count. Possession was tightly contested, with Grêmio holding a slight edge at 52% to Mirassol's 48%. However, Mirassol's passing accuracy was notably better, completing 293 successful passes against Grêmio's 447.
With this defeat, Grêmio faces significant challenges ahead, as they find themselves in 15th place in the league standings. The pressure is mounting on head coach Gustavo Quinteros, who has now seen his team suffer three consecutive losses in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Following the match, speculation about Quinteros's future intensified, with fans and analysts questioning whether he can turn the team's fortunes around.
Looking ahead, Mirassol will next face Juventude away on April 20, 2025, while Grêmio will have a crucial matchup against their arch-rivals Internacional in the upcoming Gre-Nal derby on April 19, 2025. Both teams will be eager to improve their standings, but after this match, Mirassol will undoubtedly carry a wave of momentum while Grêmio will need to regroup and find solutions to their ongoing struggles.
This match not only signifies a pivotal moment for Mirassol in their inaugural season but also serves as a wake-up call for Grêmio as they aim to rectify their course in the league. The contrasting fates of these two teams highlight the unpredictable nature of football, where triumph and despair often coexist in the same league.
