The Brazilian championship will be decided on the final match day as Corinthians and Vasco da Gama both won dramatic encounters.
Brazilian league leaders Corinthians moved a step closer towards clinching their fifth Brazilian championship after edging Figueirense 1-0 in the penultimate round of matches on Sunday.
Corinthians, with 70 points, would have won the league title had second-placed Vasco da Gama not scored an injury-time winner to dispose of Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense 2-1 in a dramatic encounter. Vasco, with 68 points, trail the league leaders, however, the owners of the title will be decided in the final round of matches next weekend.
Meanwhile, Flamengo and Coritiba are just one win away from joining Corinthians, Vasco, Fluminense and Santos in the 2012 Copa Libertadores after having won their respective matches on Sunday.
Ronaldinho was on target as Flamengo edged Internacional 1-0 in a crucial clash that allowed Brazil’s most popular club to move into fourth-place, which temporarily qualifies them for the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo piled heavy pressure on their opponents in the early moments of the match, however, they had to wait until the stroke of half-time for Ronaldinho to put them ahead when he took advantage of a terrible lapse of concentration from the Inter defense to side-foot the ball past Inter goalkeeper Muriel.
With the win, Flamengo moved into the Copa Libertadores zone at the expense of sixth-placed Internacional, who risk missing out altogether.
Corinthians are only a step away from clinching the Brazilian championship for a fifth time, after beating Figueirense 1-0 at the Orlando Scarpelli stadium in Florianopolis.
The only goal of the match was converted by Liedson in the 67th minute as Corinthians remain two points clear of second-placed Vasco with one round left to play before the conclusion of the season.
Corinthians, who would have won the title had Vasco not scored a late winner against Fluminense in Rio, must beat crosstown rivals Palmeiras next weekend to secure themselves of the title.
Coritiba moved up four places to fifth spot after leaving it late to dispose of already-relegated Avai 1-0 at the Couto Pereira stadium.
It was an even contest, right up until Avai were reduced to ten-men in the 73rd minute when Fabiano received his marching orders. The one-man advantage sparked Coritiba to life, as they went in search of the winner. After much pressure, Jeci finally found Coritiba’s winner five minutes from full-time.
With the win Coritiba jumped into the Copa Libertadores zone, however, they must beat city rivals Atletico Paranaense next weekend to secure themselves of a spot in South America's premier club competition.
Vasco da Gama remain in the title race after claiming a dramatic 2-1 injury-time victory over Fluminense in the Rio de Janeiro derby at the Engenhao stadium.
Both teams tested each other in the first half, and created several clear-cut opportunities to go ahead, but awful finishing meant that they went into the half-time break level.
The game livened up in the second period, as Vasco went looking for an opener. After wasting several opportunities, Vasco finally went ahead in the 76th minute through substitute Alecsandro. But their joy lasted shortly, as seven minutes later Brazilian international Fred drew Fluminense level for his 21st and most important goal of the season.
However, Vasco had the last laugh, as in highly dramatic circumstances and when down to ten-men, another substitute, Bernardo, found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time to give Vasco three points that keep them in the hunt for the title.
Brazilian Championship - Round 37 Results
November 27
America 2 - 1 Atletico Paranaense
Atletico Mineiro 4 - 0 Botafogo
Ceara 2 - 2 Cruzeiro
Coritiba 1 - 0 Avai
Figueirense 0 - 1 Corinthians
Flamengo 1 - 0 Internacional
Fluminense 1 - 2 Vasco
Gremio 2 - 2 Atletico GO
Palmeiras 1 - 0 Sao Paulo
Santos 1 - 1 Bahia
Corinthians, with 70 points, would have won the league title had second-placed Vasco da Gama not scored an injury-time winner to dispose of Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense 2-1 in a dramatic encounter. Vasco, with 68 points, trail the league leaders, however, the owners of the title will be decided in the final round of matches next weekend.
Meanwhile, Flamengo and Coritiba are just one win away from joining Corinthians, Vasco, Fluminense and Santos in the 2012 Copa Libertadores after having won their respective matches on Sunday.
Ronaldinho was on target as Flamengo edged Internacional 1-0 in a crucial clash that allowed Brazil’s most popular club to move into fourth-place, which temporarily qualifies them for the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo piled heavy pressure on their opponents in the early moments of the match, however, they had to wait until the stroke of half-time for Ronaldinho to put them ahead when he took advantage of a terrible lapse of concentration from the Inter defense to side-foot the ball past Inter goalkeeper Muriel.
With the win, Flamengo moved into the Copa Libertadores zone at the expense of sixth-placed Internacional, who risk missing out altogether.
Corinthians are only a step away from clinching the Brazilian championship for a fifth time, after beating Figueirense 1-0 at the Orlando Scarpelli stadium in Florianopolis.
The only goal of the match was converted by Liedson in the 67th minute as Corinthians remain two points clear of second-placed Vasco with one round left to play before the conclusion of the season.
Corinthians, who would have won the title had Vasco not scored a late winner against Fluminense in Rio, must beat crosstown rivals Palmeiras next weekend to secure themselves of the title.
Coritiba moved up four places to fifth spot after leaving it late to dispose of already-relegated Avai 1-0 at the Couto Pereira stadium.
It was an even contest, right up until Avai were reduced to ten-men in the 73rd minute when Fabiano received his marching orders. The one-man advantage sparked Coritiba to life, as they went in search of the winner. After much pressure, Jeci finally found Coritiba’s winner five minutes from full-time.
With the win Coritiba jumped into the Copa Libertadores zone, however, they must beat city rivals Atletico Paranaense next weekend to secure themselves of a spot in South America's premier club competition.
Vasco da Gama remain in the title race after claiming a dramatic 2-1 injury-time victory over Fluminense in the Rio de Janeiro derby at the Engenhao stadium.
Both teams tested each other in the first half, and created several clear-cut opportunities to go ahead, but awful finishing meant that they went into the half-time break level.
The game livened up in the second period, as Vasco went looking for an opener. After wasting several opportunities, Vasco finally went ahead in the 76th minute through substitute Alecsandro. But their joy lasted shortly, as seven minutes later Brazilian international Fred drew Fluminense level for his 21st and most important goal of the season.
However, Vasco had the last laugh, as in highly dramatic circumstances and when down to ten-men, another substitute, Bernardo, found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time to give Vasco three points that keep them in the hunt for the title.
Brazilian Championship - Round 37 Results
November 27
America 2 - 1 Atletico Paranaense
Atletico Mineiro 4 - 0 Botafogo
Ceara 2 - 2 Cruzeiro
Coritiba 1 - 0 Avai
Figueirense 0 - 1 Corinthians
Flamengo 1 - 0 Internacional
Fluminense 1 - 2 Vasco
Gremio 2 - 2 Atletico GO
Palmeiras 1 - 0 Sao Paulo
Santos 1 - 1 Bahia
