RIO DE JANEIRO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil international striker Andre scored on his Gremio debut as the reigning Copa Libertadores champions beat Cruzeiro 1-0 in the opening match of the Brazilian Serie A season on Saturday.

Andre, who joined Gremio on loan from Sport Recife last month, slid in at the far post after Everton met Ramiro's cross with a flicked header at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte.

Gremio were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when center-back Walter Kannemann was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge.

The Porto Alegro outfit then withstood a pressure-filled finale as Cruzeiro dominated possession but failed to capitalize.

Gremio, who won last year's Copa Libertadores - South America's top club trophy - by defeating Argentina's Lanus in the final, are aiming for their third Brazilian Serie A title and first since 1996. Cruzeiro are bidding for their fifth top flight triumph.

In other matches on Saturday, Flamengo drew 2-2 with Vitoria and Santos beat newly promoted Ceara 2-0.