Gremio gain edge in Copa do Brasil final

IANS

Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Nov 24 (IANS) Pedro Rocha scored twice before being sent off as visitors Gremio won the first leg of their Copa do Brasil football first leg match against Atletico Mineiro 3-1.

Rocha netted on either side of halftime at Atletico's Independencia stadium here on Wednesday but he was dismissed just after the hour mark after his second rash foul in 10 minutes, reports Xinhua.

Gabriel pegged a goal back for Atletico with eight minutes remaining. However, Everton put the result beyond doubt with a 90th-minute strike.

The return leg will be played at Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre next Wednesday.

The team that wins on aggregate will earn a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier football club competition.

--IANS

sam/vt

Edited by Staff Editor