Gremio, which returned to the field after a month-long hiatus due to the severe floods that struck southern Brazil, defeated Bolivian side The Strongest 4-0, rekindling their hopes in Group C of the Copa Libertadores. With two games in hand, they dream of advancing to the round of 16.

The three-time Libertadores champion prevailed over the group leader with a goal from Venezuelan forward Yeferson Soteldo in the first half, and goals from full-back João Pedro, forward Everton Galdino, and striker Gustavo Nunes in the second.

The Porto Alegre-based team, which was at the bottom of the Group C standings, climbed to third place with 6 points, trailing the Chilean side Huachipato (8 points) by two and The Strongest (10 points) by four, with the latter already guaranteed a spot in the next phase.

The team led by coach Renato 'Gaúcho' only needs two draws in the remaining matches, which were postponed due to the floods (they will visit Chilean side Huachipato on June 4th and host Estudiantes on June 8th), to qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up. However, they could even advance as group leaders by winning both matches and displacing The Strongest.

Despite dominating the game and securing victory, the Brazilian team showed signs of rustiness after a month-long hiatus caused by the floods that inundated Porto Alegre, including the Arena do Grêmio stadium. Some players, who aided in rescue efforts, only returned to training a few days ago.

Playing 740 kilometers away from Porto Alegre at the stadium provided by Coritiba, the team entered the field with a large banner stating that they are "playing together for the reconstruction" of Porto Alegre. At the request of CONMEBOL, a minute of silence was observed in homage to the "victims of the climatic tragedy".

Gremio attacked primarily through veteran Diego Costa, the Brazilian who shone at Atletico Madrid and played for the Spanish national team, who dominated the right flank and constantly provided assists to his teammates.

The home team opened the scoring in the 14th minute precisely after an assist from Diego Costa from the right, which Yeferson Soteldo finished first-time inside the box to beat Viscarra.

The Brazilians' pressure paid off again 5 minutes into the second half when, after receiving a pass from Pepê from the right, full-back João Pedro ran towards the center to find the best angle, evaded two opponents, and scored the second goal with a powerful shot.

And fifteen minutes later, just when the team led by Spanish coach Ismael Rescalvo seemed to have taken control of the match and were seeking a comeback, Everton Galdino recovered the ball in the midfield, advanced unmarked into the box, and scored the third goal for the Brazilians with a shot into the corner.

With victory practically secured, Renato 'Gaúcho' decided to rest his key players and sent Kannemann, Soteldo, Galdino, Diego Costa, and Cristaldo to the showers.

The substitutes only had to manage the commanding lead until the end of the match and even increased the score in the final minutes with Gustavo Nunes' goal.