Internacional and Grêmio both secured wins during the opening round of fixtures in the second stage of the Campeonato Gaúcho.
Inter have already secured their place in the overall final after claiming the Taça Piratini title with a comfortable 5-0 win over São Luiz.
Josimar gave Inter the lead against Canoas on Sunday as he raced into the box and finished off a great team move.
The home side equalised just before half-time through Fabio Santos, who hit an unstoppable strike into the top right corner of the Inter goal.
With the sides level at the break, the visitors came out fighting and regained the lead thanks to Diego Forlán.
The Argentine striker curled an inch-perfect free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
Leandro Damião, who grabbed a brace in last week’s final, secured the three points with less than a minute remaining.
The powerful forward took control of the ball inside the area, shrugged off a defender and blasted high into the net from
Grêmio midfielder Zé Roberto netted both goals as his side ran out 2-0 winners at home to Lajeadense.
The veteran midfielder finished from Pará’s lay-off in the 29th-minute before Eduardo Vargas and Hernán Barcos combined to set up his second.
Zé Roberto raced clear on goal and chipped over the onrushing goalkeeper with around 20 minutes left.
