RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Gremio became the first Brazilian club since 2013 to reach the Copa Libertadores final by completing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Ecuador's Barcelona de Guayaquil on Wednesday.
Having won last week's semifinal first leg 3-0 away from home, Gremio could afford to sit back and defend at Gremio Arena, which is exactly what they set out to do.
Jonathan Alvez gave his side a glimmer of hope with a 33rd-minute strike but the hosts took control thereafter and were unlucky not to score a late equalizer when Jael's header struck the woodwork.
Gremio will meet Lanus in the final after the latter overcame River Plate 4-3 on aggregate in their all-Argentina semifinal.
The first leg of the final will be played at Gremio Arena on November 22 and the decisive return fixture is slated for Buenos Aires a week later.
Gremio are bidding for their third Copa Libertadores title and first since 1995 while Lanus will be making their first appearance in a final.
The last Brazilian side to reach the decider of South America's top club competition were Atletico Mineiro, who defeated Paraguay's Olimpia on penalties to clinch the 2013 title.
