Brazil’s Gremio win Recopa Sudamericana

Porto Alegre (Brazil), Feb 22: Brazil's Gremio defeated Argentine side Independiente on penalties to win their second Recopa Sudamericana here on Thursday.

After a 1-1 draw in last week's first leg in Buenos Aires, both teams were in a cautious mood early at Arena Gremio in southern Brazil, reports Xinhua. 

Just like in the first match, Independiente were reduced to 10 men before halftime after Fernando Amorebieta was shown a straight red card for a bad foul.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors defended resolutely in the second half and in extra-time to force the match into penalties.

Both sides converted their first four spot kicks before Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe saved Martin Benitez's shot to secure his team the title at nearly 12.30 a.m. local time.

The Recopa Sudamericana is played annually between the winners of the Copa Libertadores — South America's top club competition — and the Copa Sudamericana, the continent's second-tier tournament.

Gremio, who won last year's Copa Libertadores, also lifted the Recopa Sudamericana trophy in 1996.