Monday 28 September 2009

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 26

Palmeiras 2-1 Atlético Paranaense
Barueri 0-1 Cruzeiro
Fluminense 3-2 Avaí
São Paulo 1-1 Corinthians
Internacional 0-0 Flamengo
Coritiba 2-0 Náutico
Goiás 2-1 Grêmio
Sport Recife 2-1 Santo André
Atlético Miniero 3-1 Santos
Botafogo 1-3 Vitória

Pamleiras moved 5 points clear at the top of Série A after defeating Atlético-PR. Luis Figueroa put Palmeiras ahead just before half time after springing the offside trap. The Big Green were pegged back just past the hour when Chico's header was deflected past Marcos. Palmeiras got their winning 20 minutes from time, Danilo left unmarked at a corner to fire home to give the league leaders three points. Cruzeiro bounced back from their midweek defeat to Palmeiras as they overcame Barueri. Gilberto with the only goal after some poor defending from Barueri, who lost Fernandinho to a red card in injury time. Fluminense picked up their first win since the start of August with a come from behind win over Avaí. William put Avaí ahead with only 8 minutes on the clock but Alan nipped in at the front post to level six minutes later. Muriqui's header put Avaí back ahead again but some comedy defending allowed Fábio Neves to level again just before half time. Alan grabbed a second 13 minutes into the second half after more poor defending but Fluminense were thankful Rafael was in top form in goal.

Nothing to write home about in Porto Alegre on a rain soaked pitch with Inter and Flamengo drawing 0-0. 33 seconds of highlights only from our resident provider on YouTube, Willtv1, says it all. Rômulo put Coritiba ahead against Náutico as the home side game themselves from breathing space from the relegation zone. Marcelinho missed a penalty for Coritiba, had a perfectly good goal denied before finally netting his 12th of the season to secure with win. Goiás bounced back from their midweek defeat in Paraguay as they overcame Grêmio. The visitors went ahead when Souza sprung the offside trap and rounded the goalkeeper to slot home. Goiás were level by half time, Léo Lima's powerful header bringing Goiás back into the game. The home side pushed forward and grabbed the goal that kept them on course for the Libertadores next year when Felipe hit the winner nine minutes from time.

In a big relegation battle in Recife, Sport grabbed a crucial win as they continue their fight against the drop. The were ahead after 20 minutes, Juan Acre with the goal. Santo André went in level at half time though, Rodrigo Fabri headed the equalizer. Sport though grabbed a crucial three points though when Vandinho got the winner midway through the second half. Atlético-MG look settled in 5th as they overcame Santos, Evandro set Atlético-MG on their way opening the scoring in the 5th minutes. Diego Tardelli's second half double wrapped things up for Atlético-MG as he moved joint top of the goal scoring charts. Kléber Pereira's header with 10 minutes to go nothing more than mere consolation for Santos. Botafogo are in real trouble after yet another home defeat, this time to Vitória. Leadnro put Vitória one up at half time with a shot that deflected in. Botafogo then had Emerson sent off with 18 minutes to go and two quick fire goals in the last 5 minutes ended any hope for Botafogo. Leandro Domingues scored with 4 minutes to go as Botafogo pressed for an equaliser and Gláucio wrapped things up a minute later. Laio's strike in injury time nothing more than consolation for the home side.

The big game of the weekend was "O Majestoso" at the Morumbi as São Paulo and Corinthians faced off. Ronaldo returned from injury for Corinthians and it was he who put his side into the lead with 20 minutes on the clock. After two shocking pieces of defending by São Paulo players the former FIFA World Player of the year was left to tap the ball home into an empty net. São Paulo were playing catch up after the win by Palmeiras the night before and hit the post before the break. The homeside though got their equaliser when Washington finally found the back of the net for the home side after springing the offside trap. Washington was sent off for a second yellow card in the last minute but the point left São Paulo 5 points adrift of Palmeiras when less than a week ago they were level on points.

No midweek games this weeks thanks to the Sudamericana but Week 27 gets underway on Wednesday when São Paulo will have the chance to close the gap on Palmeiras. It's also the "Fla-Flu" this weekend as well.

Here's how they line up

Náutico x São Paulo
Flamengo x Fluminense
Santos x Palmeiras
Grêmio x Sport Recife
Corinthians x Atlético Paranaense
Coritiba x Internacional
Santo André x Vitória
Atlético Miniero x Barueri
Goiás x Botafogo
Avaí x Cruzeiro

No comments: