Grêmio 2-4 Cruzeiro: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings
Brasileirão Matchday 31 · Sunday 18 October 2026 · Arena do Grêmio, Rio · referee J. Gobi · full time
Full time: Grêmio 2-4 Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro beat Grêmio 4-2 in Brasileirão Matchday 31 on Sunday 18 October 2026 at Arena do Grêmio. The goals: Carlos Vinícius 17', Kaio Jorge 23', Cristian Pavón 41', Kaio Jorge 48', Kaio Jorge 61', João Marcelo 80'.
How Cruzeiro won it
Grêmio struck first through Carlos Vinícius from the penalty spot in the 17th minute. Cruzeiro levelled at 1-1 in the 23rd minute through Kaio Jorge, set up by Matheus Pereira. Cristian Pavón made it 2-1 to Grêmio in the 41st minute. Cruzeiro levelled at 2-2 in the 48th minute through Kaio Jorge, set up by Matheus Pereira. Cruzeiro turned it round: Kaio Jorge made it 2-3 in the 61st minute, set up by William. João Marcelo made it 2-4 to Cruzeiro in the 80th minute, set up by Gerson.
It was 2-1 at half-time, and the second half turned the match the other way.
Kaio Jorge scored a hat-trick.
The lead changed hands once.
Walter Kannemann of Grêmio was sent off in the 73rd minute. The referee, J. Gobi, showed 5 yellow cards: 2 to Grêmio and 3 to Cruzeiro.
Grêmio: R. Portaluppi, 4-2-3-1 · Cruzeiro: Artur Jorge, 4-2-3-1.
Moneyball's prediction against the result
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Why it went this way
On the day the expected goals were 1.59 for Grêmio and 2.27 for Cruzeiro.
Cruzeiro made more of their chances than the xG suggests, by about 1.7 goals.
Grêmio had 6 shots on target, Cruzeiro 6.
Cruzeiro had 59% of the ball and turned it into the win.
A red card changed the shape of the match, and no pre-match model can see one coming.
Where the two sides stood before this match
Grêmio came into it with 31 Brasileirão matches played, scoring 1.1 and conceding 1.4 a match, with 1.04 expected goals for and 1.94 against, and had won 23% of their matches.
Cruzeiro came into it with 32 Brasileirão matches played, scoring 1.6 and conceding 1.4 a match, with 1.45 expected goals for and 1.62 against, and had won 50% of their matches.
Grêmio vs Cruzeiro: the match in numbers
| Grêmio | Match statistics | Cruzeiro |
|---|---|---|
| 41% | Ball possession | 59% |
| 1.59 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.27 |
| 17 | Total shots | 13 |
| 6 | Shots on target | 6 |
| 3 | Big chances | 4 |
| 332 | Total passes | 503 |
| 78% | Pass accuracy | 86% |
| 8 | Corners | 8 |
| 19 | Fouls | 16 |
| 0 | Offsides | 1 |
| 15 | Tackles | 9 |
| 2 | Saves | 4 |
| 2 | Yellow cards | 3 |
| 1 | Red cards | 0 |
Team statistics from Sportmonks.
Player ratings and man of the match
Man of the match: Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), rated 9.0 by Sportmonks, with 3 goals.
Grêmio
- Cristian Pavón 7.6 1 goal
- Mathías Villasanti 7.3
- Francis Amuzu 7.2
- Marlon 7.0
- Carlos Vinícius 6.9 1 goal
Cruzeiro
- Kaio Jorge 9.0 3 goals
- Matheus Pereira 7.7 2 assists
- João Marcelo 7.5 1 goal
- Gerson 7.2 1 assist
- William 7.0 1 assist
The lowest-rated starter was Walter Kannemann at 4.9. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.
What comes next
- Grêmio: Coritiba vs Grêmio Monday 26 October 2026 · Brasileirão
- Cruzeiro: Atlético Mineiro vs Cruzeiro Thursday 29 October 2026 · Brasileirão
Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.
Questions about Grêmio vs Cruzeiro
What was the score in Grêmio vs Cruzeiro?
Grêmio 2-4 Cruzeiro (half-time 2-1), Brasileirão, Sunday 18 October 2026.
Who scored in Grêmio vs Cruzeiro?
Carlos Vinícius 17', Kaio Jorge 23', Cristian Pavón 41', Kaio Jorge 48', Kaio Jorge 61', João Marcelo 80'.
Did Moneyball predict Grêmio vs Cruzeiro correctly?
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Who was man of the match in Grêmio vs Cruzeiro?
Kaio Jorge, rated 9.0 by Sportmonks.
Who refereed Grêmio vs Cruzeiro?
J. Gobi.
Every match, before and after
Moneyball Odds writes a preview with its estimate before every match of Europe's top five leagues and the European cups, then marks it against the result, hits and misses alike.
Moneyball Odds is a statistical analysis site, not a bookmaker. No model predicts football reliably. For readers aged 18 and over.