SAO PAULO, BRAZIL — Jonathan Calleri delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing, netting twice as São Paulo dismantled a depleted Grêmio side 2-0 at Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo. The Argentine striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 24th minute before adding a second on the counter-attack in the 59th, exploiting the numerical advantage after Wagner Leonardo's dismissal left the visitors scrambling with nine men for the entire second half.
The match turned decisively just two minutes into the second period when Wagner Leonardo received his marching orders for a second bookable offense, a reckless challenge that left referee with no choice. Already trailing by a goal, Grêmio's task became mountainous, and São Paulo wasted little time capitalizing on their superiority. The hosts controlled proceedings from that moment, pinning the visitors deep into their own half and launching wave after wave of attacks.
Calleri broke the deadlock from twelve yards in the 24th minute after Lucas Moura was felled inside the area. The spot-kick was dispatched with authority, the striker sending Weverton the wrong way with a precise right-footed finish into the bottom left corner. It was a moment of composure that set the tone for São Paulo's dominance, rewarding their early territorial control and putting Grêmio on the back foot.
The second goal arrived fourteen minutes into the second half and showcased São Paulo's devastating counter-attacking prowess. Luciano sparked the break with a perfectly weighted through ball, releasing Calleri into space. The striker made no mistake, rifling a right-footed shot past Weverton from the center of the box to double the advantage. The goal effectively ended any hopes of a Grêmio comeback, with the visitors unable to muster a response against São Paulo's organized defensive shape.
São Paulo's attacking intent was evident in the statistics, as they peppered Weverton's goal with 18 attempts compared to Grêmio's meager five. The hosts managed just four shots on target despite their volume of efforts, suggesting some wastefulness in the final third, but their dominance was never in question. São Paulo controlled 57.6% of possession, dictating the tempo and forcing Grêmio into a reactive, defensive posture for long stretches.
The numerical disadvantage proved insurmountable for Grêmio, who struggled to create meaningful chances after Leonardo's dismissal. Their lone shot on target came in the 76th minute when José Enamorado forced a save from Rafael with a left-footed effort from the left side of the box. It was a rare moment of attacking ambition from the visitors, who spent most of the match defending desperately against São Paulo's relentless pressure.
Luciano had a chance to extend the lead further when he earned a second penalty in the 61st minute after being brought down by Gustavo Martins. However, Weverton redeemed himself with a crucial save, diving low to his right to deny Luciano's left-footed attempt. The save provided brief respite for Grêmio, but with nine men on the pitch, they lacked the resources to mount any sustained pressure.
The match grew increasingly physical as Grêmio's frustration mounted, with the visitors committing 16 fouls compared to São Paulo's 11. Both teams collected two yellow cards apiece before Leonardo's second booking, while André Henrique joined the caution list late in stoppage time. The disciplinary issues reflected Grêmio's desperation as they chased shadows for much of the contest.
São Paulo came agonizingly close to adding a third when Gonzalo Tapia struck the right post in the 71st minute, his close-range effort rattling the woodwork after excellent build-up play from Marcos Antônio. Moments later, Pablo Maia blazed a left-footed shot high and wide from the center of the box, one of several missed opportunities that prevented a more emphatic scoreline. Despite the profligacy, São Paulo's superiority was never in doubt.
Enzo Díaz proved a constant threat down the left flank, delivering dangerous crosses throughout and winning a free kick in stoppage time after being fouled by José Enamorado. His partnership with Calleri and Luciano caused Grêmio's makeshift defense endless problems, with the visitors unable to cope with São Paulo's width and movement. Sabino and Lucas Ramon provided stability at the back, limiting Grêmio to speculative efforts from distance.
The victory extends São Paulo's impressive recent form, building on a run that has seen them collect valuable points in their pursuit of continental qualification. For Grêmio, the defeat compounds their struggles, with the red card adding to their woes ahead of a challenging fixture schedule. The visitors will need to regroup quickly and address their defensive fragility if they hope to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
The three points secure São Paulo's position in the upper echelons of the Brazilian Serie A standings, with their attacking firepower and defensive organization suggesting they remain serious contenders for a top-four finish. Calleri's clinical finishing and the team's ability to exploit numerical advantages will give them confidence as the campaign enters its crucial final stages.
Both sides now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with São Paulo looking to maintain momentum and Grêmio desperate to halt their slide down the table and restore some defensive discipline to their game.