Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 34

Atlético Mineiro 2-2 Santos
Grêmio 5-1 Ceará
Atlético Goianiense 2-2 Internacional
São Paulo 0-2 Corinthians
Prudente 4-1 Goiás
Vitória 0-1 Cruzeiro
Avaí 0-0 Botafogo
Palmeiras 1-0 Guarani
Flamengo 0-1 Atlético Paranaense
Fluminense 1-0 Vasco da Gama

Saturday's games saw Atlético-MG take another small step to safety after an entertaining 2-2 draw with Santos in Sete Lagoas. Neymar's 12th goal of the season put the visitors ahead with just eight minutes on the clock but Diego Tardelli levelled matters after 25 minutes on the clock. When Obina put Atlético-MG ahead on the hour the home side were on course for a crucial point but Neymar's second of the game seven minutes later rescued a point for Santos. Grêmio are still an outside bet for the last Libertadores spot after they took Ceará to the cleaners. André Lima set the Tricolor on the way with 24 minutes gone and a 21st of the season from Jonas doubled the lead on the half hour. Ceará had Heleno sent off before veteran Fábio Rochemback made it three before the break before Douglas got the fourth ten minutes after half time. A second for André Lima made it five on the hour before Magno Alves got a consolation for Ceará thirteen minutes from time. Atlético-GO were another team to take a small step to safety but will be kicking themselves after letting a two goal lead slip against Internacional. Juninho put Atlético-GO ahead with twelve minutes on the clock and an 11th of the season from Elias from the spot doubled the lead. Inter halved the deficit ten minutes after the break courtesy of Leandro Damião before Giuliano levelled matters from the spot twenty minutes from time.

The early Sunday games started with a huge clash at the Morumbi between São Paulo and Corinthians, the Majestoso. It was the visitors who briefly returned to the top of the table courtesy of a 2-0 victory. Elias put Corinthians ahead six mintues before the break and Dentinho made the points certain with the second six minutes from time. Prudente kept their heads above the parapet after a 4-1 victory over a Goiás side that now looks likely to join them in the second tier next season. Rafael Moura put Goiás ahead with just six minutes on the clock but Prudente levelled through João Vitor after twenty minutes. Willian José put Prudente ahead six minutes after the break and Goiás were then reduced to ten men on the hour when Rafael Tolói was dismissed. Wesley made it three half way through the half before Rhayner put the icing on the cake four minutes from time. Cruzeiro kept up the heat at the top of the table after a single goal was enough to give them victory at Vitória. That goal came seven minutes before half time with Jonas unfortunate to put the ball into his own net. In Florianópolis, Avaí got a point in their battle to beat the drop but it was against a disappointing Botafogo side that collected an amazing 16th draw of the season. The Rio club have lost the least games of any team in the division so far but an inability to win more games will probably cost them in the long run.

The late Sunday games all featured a single goal in all the contests. At the Arena Barueri, Palmeiras got the better of Guarani ahead of their second leg Sudamericana game in midweek. The only goal in this one came four minutes before half time from Leandro Amaro. That result leaves Guarani in the relegation zone with just four games left to play. Flamengo ended up playing their home game against Atlético-PR at the Estádio Raulino de Oliveira in Volta Redonda due to Fluminense bagging the Engenhão to take on Vasco. It was the visitors who kept their Libertadores hopes alive after veteran Paulo Baier got the only goal of the game six minutes before the break. Over at the Engenhão, Fluminense, after a couple of hours in third, went back to the top of the table after victory over Vasco da Gama in the Clássico dos Gigantes. The goal came with just four minutes on the clock from Tartá and means that Fluminense have a single point lead at the top of the table with just four matches left.

Week 35 starts on Wednesday night in Fortaleza when Botafogo need a victory against Ceará if they have any chance of winning the title. The biggest clash of the week is on Saturday when Corinthians in second entertain Cruzeiro in third. They line up like this

Ceará x Botafogo
Corinthians x Cruzeiro
Santos x Grêmio
Atlético Mineiro x Flamengo
Vasco da Gama x São Paulo
Guarani x Vitória
Internacional x Avaí
Atlético Goianiense x Palmeiras
Fluminense x Goiás
Atlético Paranaense x Prudente

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 33

Santos 1-1 Vitória
Botafogo 3-2 Atlético Goianiense
Guarani 0-0 Atlético Mineiro
Internacional 0-0 Fluminense
Goiás 0-2 Grêmio
Corinthians 4-0 Avaí
Cruzeiro 0-2 São Paulo
Ceará 2-2 Flamengo
Vasco da Gama 2-1 Prudente
Atlético Paranaense 1-0 Palmeiras

Vitória edged away from the relegation after gaining a point in the their cup final rematch with Santos. Santos took the lead just after the half hour courtesy of Neymar's 11th goal of the season but José Junior levelled five minutes before the break. Vitória finished with ten men after Thiago Martinelli was sent off ten minutes from time. Botafogo are suddenly right in the title race again after hanging on to defeat Atlético-GO at the Engenhão. Botafogo took the lead two minutes before the break through Caio and Jobson doubled the lead three mintues after the break. Sebastian Abreu's goal from the spot, his 9th of the season, with 25 minutes to go looked to have wrapped things up but Atlético-GO pulled a goal back the Juninho with eight mintues to go. Robston reduced the Fogo lead to one in injury time but the Alvinegro held on to collect all three points. The big relegation clash in Campinas finished goalless between Guarani and Atlético-MG, a result with does either team no favours. Fluminense will go into Week 34 with their noses ahead in the table after a coming away from the Beira-Rio with a point. The game was billed as a battle of the Argentinian stars Dario Conca and Andres D'Alessandro but the game never sparked into life.

Goiás are looking like they are heading for Série B after a 2-0 home defeat to Grêmio. André Lime put the Tricolor ahead on the half hour and Diego wrapped things up in injury time at the end of the second half. Grêmio are an outside bet for the last Libertadores spot while Goiás are now five points away from safety. Corinthians for themselves right back in the title hunt after pushing Avaí closer to the drop after a comfortable victory and revenge for their defeat in Florianópilis earlier in the season. Bruno César set Corinthians on their way after 20 minutes but they home side had to wait until after half time extend their lead. Elias for the second nineteen minutes into the second half before a brace from Ronaldo in the last six minutes put the icing on the cake. Avaí didn't help their cause after having both Robinho and Emerson sent off. The big losers of the week were Cruzeiro who slipped to their third defeat in four after a 2-0 defeat to São Paulo. Lucas Silva put the visitors ahead seven minutes after the break and Rogerio Céni wrapped things up from the spot ten minutes from time. The defeat pushed Cruzeiro back into third and the need to find their form quickly if they are to take the title.

Flamengo are now unbeaten in eight as they edge away from the relegation zone under Wanderlei Luxemburgo but they had to settle for a point at Ceará. Welinton Souza put the Rubro-Negro ahead inside two minutes but the teams went into the break level after Magno Alves levelled in the 26th minute. Ronaldo Angelim put Flamengo ahead again half way through the second half but a second from Magno Alves nine minutes from time rescued a point for the home side. Vasco da Gama can look forward to another season in the top flight as they more or less condemned Prudente to Série B at the São Januário. It was a come from behind victory for the home side after they fell behind to a Adriano Pimenta goal with just nine minutes on the clock. But two goals in a minute around the half hour mark from Romulo gave Vasco the victory and the chance to plan ahead for next season. Atlético-PR kept their hopes of qualifying for the Libertadores alive after a late goal gave them victory over Palmeiras. The only goal of the game came nine minutes from time from Fedrico Nieto to leave Atlético-PR in a group of five teams on 50 points.

So with all the midweek rounds over Week 34 takes place at the weekend, Goiás could relegate Prudente. There is the Clássico dos Gigantes in Rio between Fluminense and Vasco while the Majestoso takes centre stage in São Paulo.

Atlético Mineiro x Santos
Grêmio x Ceará
Atlético Goianiense x Internacional
São Paulo x Corinthians
Prudente x Goiás
Vitória x Cruzeiro
Avaí x Botafogo
Palmeiras x Guarani
Flamengo x Atlético Paranaense
Fluminense x Vasco da Gama

Copa Sudamericana Week 13

Quarter Final - 1st Leg

Newell's Old Boys 0-0 LDU Quito
Deportes Tolima 2-2 Independiente

No goals in Rosario as the holders got exactly what they came for. A goalless draw to take back the altitude of Quito in a weeks time. In a game of few chances, the home side will be kicking themselves for not taking their chances when they came but the LDU defence was always up to the task. It's all to play for in the second leg.

In Colombia, Independiente grabbed what could be a couple of vital away goals as they came from behind to draw with Deportes Tolima. The Argentinian side took the lead on the half hour when Nestor Silvera converted from the penalty spot but Wilder Modina levelled five minutes before the break. Rodrigo Marangone put Tolima ahead seventeen minutes from time but the lead lasted only five minutes before Julian Velázquez levelled the put Independiente in the driving seat for the second leg.

All four ties are completed next week.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 32

Flamengo 1-1 Corinthians
São Paulo 2-1 Atlético Paranaense
Fluminense 2-0 Grêmio
Atlético Goianiense 1-1 Ceará
Internacional 1-1 Santos
Vitória 4-2 Vasco da Gama
Prudente 0-2 Cruzeiro
Atlético Mineiro 0-2 Botafogo
Avaí 1-0 Guarani
Palmeiras 3-2 Goiás

With the elections taking place in Brazil yesterday Week 32 was dragged forward a little and opened on Wednesday night at the Engenhão as Flamengo and Corinthians met up. After much had been made of the planned reception for "O Fenomeno" by the Flamengo fans Ronaldo had the last laugh when he fired the title chasers into the lead on the half hour. Corinthians though, couldn't get the win they needed when they were undone a minute after half time and Diogo got the equaliser to leave the home side unbeaten in seven. São Paulo made a return to winning ways when they put a big dent in Atlético-PR's hopes of making the Libertadores with a 2-1 victory at the Morumbi. Ricardo Oliveira put São Paulo ahead with 12 minutes on the clock but Atlético-PR levelled through Joffre Guérron fifteen minutes later. The São Paulo winner game five minutes after the break through Miranda to lift them above Atlético-PR in the table. Fluminense will go into Week 33 on top of the table after Argentinian Dario Conca inspired them to their first win in six against Grêmio at the Engenhão. Conca put the Tricolor ahead with nineteen minutes on the clock and his second nine minute from time wrapped up a much needed win fir Fluminense.

Atlético-GO continue their escape from the relegation zone but saw their three game winning streak ended by Ceará. Marcão put Atlético-GO in the driving seat with his goal after 26 minutes. Ceará denied their hosts a fourth straight win when Michel levelled fifteen minutes from time. Internacional and Santos were still outside chances for the title when they started the Saturday action at the Beira-Rio. In an entertaining game it was the visitors who took the lead thirteen minutes from time courtesy of a wonderful strike from Zé Eduardo. The lead though lasted only three minutes before Leandro Damião headed Inter level, the draw though was not much good for either side. Vitória hauled themsevles out of the relegation zone after a big win over Vasco da Game. The home side were ahead inside two minutes through Adailton and Elkeson doubled the advantage five minutes before the break. Neto Coruja made it three two minutes after the break but a minute later Vasco got back in the game courtesy of Nunes. José Junior restored the three goal cushion just short of the hour leaving José Fumagalli's injury time strike mere consolation for Vasco. Cruzeiro kept up the heat on Fluminense at the top of the table after the pushed Prudente closer to relegation. Léo set Cruzeiro on their way with eighteen minutes on the clock and Robert doubled the lead five minutes before the break. The defeat leaves Prudente 11 points short of safety with just 18 to play for.

Botafogo climbed back into the Libertadores positions as of right after a 2-0 victory over Atlético-MG in Sete Lagoas. Fogo went ahead fifteen minutes from time courtesy of Edno and Sebatian Abreu's eight goal of the season a minutes from time wrapped things up. The defeat means that Atlético-MG drop back into the relegation zone and they are still in serious trouble. Avaí are another side with their head still below the relegation line but they gave themselves a fighting chance of survival with victory over Guarani. Only one goal separated the sides and it came from Eltinho with 27 minutes gone. Guarani are now right on the edge of the relegation zone and they will be now looking over their shoulders. Two teams in midweek Sudamericana action met at the Arena Barueri and it was Palmeiras who took the points against Goiás. Tinga put Palmeiras ahead with twenty minutes on the clock but the Big Green had to wait until ten minutes from time before Marcio Araujo doubled the lead. Carlos Alberto then pulled a goal back from Goiás three minutes later but Dinei restored the two goal advantage four minutes from time. Goiás weren't done and Éverton Santos again reduced the deficit a minutes from time but Palmeiras held on to leave Goiás deep in the relegation mire.

The last midweek round takes place this week and the line up like this, the most crucial game coming between Guarani and Atléico-MG in the battle to avoid the drop.

Santos X Vitória
Botafogo x Atlético Goianiense
Guarani x Atlético Mineiro
Internacional x Fluminense
Goiás x Grêmio
Corinthians x Avaí
Cruzeiro x São Paulo
Ceará x Flamengo
Vasco da Gama x Prudente
Atlético Paranaense x Palmeiras

Copa Sudamericana Week 12

Quarter Final - 1st Leg

Atlético Mineiro 1-1 Palmeiras
Goiás 2-2 Avaí

All square in Sete Lagoas as a dodgy penalty enabled Atlético-MG to go into the second leg of their tie against Palmeiras all square. After a goal less first half the visitors took the lead ten minutes after the break when a neat 1-2 between Kléber and Tinga saw the former Cruzeiro man beat Renan Ribeiro in the Atlético-MG goal. The home side drew level fifteen minutes from time after a hotly disputed (by the Palmeiras players) penalty. Marcio Araujo was ruled to have bought for Palmeiras player Obina down in the area as a cross came in, the contact looked minimal though. Araujo ended up in the book as did Danilo who was lucky not to talk himself into red. The delay didn't affect Obina as he slotted the ball past Deola in the Palmeiras goal.

At the Sierra Dourada, Goiás and Avaí, two teams in the relegation zone in Série A, met in the other all Brazilian quarter final. The home side grasped the advantage in the tie when Rafael Moura put them ahead with with half an hour on the clock, a lead they took into the break. Avaí grabbed what could be a crucial away goal seven minutes after the break when Davi converted from the penalty spot. Goiás were stunned with twenty minutes to go when they fell behing to a goal from Marcelino put Avaí into the driving seat. Goiás piled on the pressure looking for the equaliser and it finally came four minutes into injury time when Rafael Moura got his second of the game.

The second legs for both of these ties take place in two weeks time, the remaining first leg ties take place next midweek.

Campeonato Paulista A1 2011

The fixtures and format have been released for the 2011 Campeonato Paulista Série A1 and there is a slight change to the format we have witnessed in recent years. Twenty teams will contest the division as usual in a single round robin format and the bottom four teams will be relegated to Série A2 at the end of the season.

The big change comes in the play offs, which have have been extended to eight teams. The first round will be single elimination on a 1 v 8; 2 v 7; 3 v 6; 4 v 5 format. The winners then progress to the semi finals and again that will be a single elimination game. The final as ever will be played over two games to end the season on May 15th.

The four promoted clubs who take their place in the big time next season are Guaratinguetá (who we featured in the national Série B round-up not too long ago), São Bernardo, Noroeste and Linense, the champions of Série A2 this year.

Also the competition will feature the two extra officials situated behind the goal line, as seen in the Champions and Europa League competitions.

The league starts on January 16 and the opening round looked like this as Santos defend the crown they won this year.

Linense x Santos
Mogi Mirim x São Paulo
Corinthians x Portuguesa
Palmeiras x Botafogo SP
Noroeste x Santo André
Guaratinguetá x Bragantino
São Bernardo x Grêmio Prudente
Mirassol x Ponte Preta
Paulista x Ituano
Oeste x São Caetano

For a full list of fixtures click here

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 31

Botafogo 1-0 Vitória
Guarani 0-1 Atlético Goianiense
Corinthians 1-0 Palmeiras
Goiás 1-0 Avaí
Ceará 2-0 São Paulo
Atlético Paranaense 2-2 Fluminense
Santos 2-3 Prudente
Vasco da Gama 1-1 Flamengo
Cruzeiro 3-4 Atlético Mineiro
Grêmio 2-2 Internacional

Botafogo finally snapped their eight game drawing streak as they finally won a game. Vitória were their victims at the Engenhão as they keep in the hunt for a Libertadores spot. One goal separated the sides and that came a minutes before half time from Marcelo Cordeiro. The result dropped Vitória into the relegation zone. Atlético-GO were one of the teams to climb out of that relegation zone as they made it back to back away wins and three on the spin at Guarani. Again it was a single goal that separated the teams and that came on the hour from Marcão. Guarani finished with ten me after Baiano was sent off thirteen minutes from time. Corinthians are right back in the title race after victory in the Derby Paulista against Palmeiras at the Pacaembu. It's a first win in eight games for Corinthians and it came courtesy of a single goal from Bruno César halfway through the first half.

Avaí are in deep relegation trouble now as they made it six without a win as they went down to fellow strugglers Goiás. Again a single goal separated the sides and that came three minutes before the break from Bernardo. Avaí finished with ten men when Bruno Silva was sent off in injury time at the end of the second half. Ceará took a huge step to safety and survival in Série A with a crucial win over São Paulo. The win for Ceará snapped São Paulo's three game winning streak and they took the lead through Magno Alves after 20 minutes. Diego Sacoman doubled the lead ten minutes before the break to leave Ceará unbeaten in six. Despite going five games without a win Fluminense are back on top of the table after a late Dario Conca penalty gave them a point at Atlético-PR. Paulo Baier put Atlético-PR ahead on the hour but Marquinho levelled nine minutes later. When Wagner Diniz put Atlético-PR ahead for the second time it seemed the Tricolor were doomed until Conca's coolly converted from the spot with two minutes left.

Santos slumped to a disappointing defeat at home to Prudente after a stunning comeback from the visitors. It was all going well for Santos after on-loan Keirrison and Durval gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Prudente got back in the game a minute after the break through Wesley and Gilmar levelled from the spot eight minutes later. A second from Wesley on the hour stunned the Vila Belmiro to put Prudente ahead but the visitors clung on depite having Leonardo and Flávio Boaventura sent off. At the Engenhão it finished all square in the Clássico dos Milhões between Vasco and Flamengo. The home side took the lead through Cesinha after 26 minutes but they were reduced to ten men nineteen minutes after the break when Dedé was dismissed. Flamengo though, took their unbeaten run to six when Renato Abreu levelled ten minutes from time. In another derby taking place at the weekend it finished all square in the Gre-Nal at the Olímpico Monumental. André Lima put Grêmio ahead nine minutes before the break but Inter levelled twenty minutes into the second half when Alecsandro levelled from the spot after Fabio Rochemback had handled a goal bound shot on the line, a red card also followed for the veteran. The ten men went ahead again through Fábio Santos twenty minutes from time but Inter salvaged a point seven minutes from time when Andre D'Alessandro struck.

Cruzeiro were knocked off the top of the table as they fell to a second loss in succession in a classic Belo Horizonte derby at the Mineirão. Atlético-MG have not had the best of seasons so far, struggling at the bottom of the table but they ripped the form book apart in the opening half an hour as a hat-trick from former Flamengo and Palmeiras striker Obina gave them a shock lead. Cruzeiro pulled a goal back a nine minutes before the break through Gilberto but still had a mountain to climb to get anything out of the game. That mountain got a lot higher with 66 minutes on the clock when Réver restored the three goal advantage for Atlético-MG. Two goals in the space of two minutes from Thiago Ribeiro gave Cruzeiro 12 minutes to try and salvage a draw but Atlético-MG held on to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

Week 32 takes place with games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday ahead of the final midweek round of games. They line up like this

Flamengo x Corinthians
São Paulo x Atlético Paranaense
Fluminense x Grêmio
Atlético Goianiense x Ceará
Internacional x Santos
Vitória x Vasco da Gama
Palmeiras x Goiás
Prudente x Cruzeiro
Atlético Mineiro x Botafogo
Avaí x Guarani

Copa Sudamericana Week 11

Round of 16 - Second Leg

Independiente 4-2 Defensor Sporting
3-3 on points, Independiente advances on goal difference
San José 2-0 Newell's Old Boys
3-3 on points, Newell's Old Boys advances on goal difference
LDU Quito 6-1 Unión San Felipe
3-3 on points, LDU Quito advances on goal difference
Peñarol 3-2 Goiás
3-3 on points, Goiás advances on away goals
Santa Fe 1-0 Atlético Mineiro
3-3 on points, Atlético Mineiro advances on goal difference
Avaí 3-1 Emelec
3-3 on points, Avaí advances on goal difference
Palmeiras 3-1 Universitario
Palmeiras advances 6-0 on points

Despite taking a lead back over the River Plate and taking a 12th minute lead on the night courtesy of Rodrigo Mora, Defensor Sporting of Uruguay were knocked out of the competition by an Independiente side still struggling in the Argentinian league. By half time Independiente were 3-1 up on the night thanks to Nestor Silvera, Hernan Fredes and Nicolas Carbera. When Diego Rodríguez pulled a goal back for Defensor three minutes after the break they were in the box seat but when Nicolas Martínez struck fifteen minutes from time there was no road back for the Uruguayans. San José got some pride back after their thumping in Rosario a couple of weeks ago to Newell's Old Boys. The Argentinians sent an under strength side to Bolivia but they were good enough. Luis Mendez put San José ahead with twenty minutes on the clock and Aquilano Villalba doubled their lead nine minutes from time.The holders, LDU Quito are into the last 8 after overcoming their their defeat last week in Chile against Unión San Felipe. LDU were back level in the tie inside 24 minutes, Gonzalo Chila put LDU ahead and then Hernan Barcos converted from the penalty spot. But Unión San Felipe wouldn't lie down and went back ahead in the tie seven minutes before the break when Angel Vildozo halved the deficit on the night. But the holders are made of stern stuff and Jorge Guagua put LDU ahead in the tie six minutes into the second half and Carlos Luna made it four on the night eight minutes later. Juan Salgueiro made the tie safe on 66 minutes and a second for Barcos seven minutes later wrapped things up.

Ten man Goiás scraped into the last eight despite defeat in Montevideo to Peñarol. Rafael Moura put the struggling Brazilian side ahead on the night on seventeen minutes but goals from Matias Corujo and Marcelo Sosa sent Peñarol into the break ahead. Eleven minutes after the break Éverton Santos was sent off but thirteen minutes from time Carlos Alberto levelled for Goiás on the night. There was a frantic last six minutes after Alejandro Martinuccio put Peñarol back ahead again on the night but there were unable to find another goal to win the tie. Another struggling Brazilian side, Atlético Mineiro made it into the last eight despite defeat to Sante Fe in Colombia. Their 2-0 victory last week was a sufficient barrier despite Felipe Noguera scoring the only goal of the night on the hour. The last Bolivian side in the competition. Yet another struggling Brazilian side, Avaí made it into the last eight after a 3-1 victory over Emelec saw them advance. Leading 2-1 from the first leg Emelec made the perfect start in Florianópolis when Joao Rojas put them ahead two minutes into the game and a two goal cushion in the tie. They held that lead until half time but Avaí levelled on the night when Roberto scored two minutes after the break. Four minutes after that and the tie was level when Eltinho put Avaí ahead on the night and two minutes later they were ahead when Emerson made it three goals in just six minutes. There was no way back for the fancies Ecuadorians. Universitario of Bolivia had their interest in the competition ended after defeat to Palmeiras. With a goal lead from the first leg, Kléber put Palmeiras ahead on the night with just 12 minutes on the clock and they were out of the tie when Luan added a second fifteen minutes later. Universitario pulled a goal back from Damian Cirillo after 64 minutes but Danilo put the tie to bed with a third for the Big Green seven minutes later and end Bolivian interest in the competition.

The last eight line up like this and we will be guaranteed a team from Brazil in the final of the competition as they will be forced to face each other in the semi-final due to the competition rules. The two legs are scheduled to take place sometime over the next three midweeks.

Newell's Old Boys v LDU Quito
Independiente v Deportes Tolima
Avaí v Goiás
Palmeiras v Atlético Mineiro

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 30

Flamengo 3-0 Internacional
Atlético Paranaense 2-1 Goiás
Guarani 0-0 Corinthians
Atlético Mineiro 2-0 Avaí
Grêmio 2-1 Cruzeiro
Atlético Goianiense 2-0 Vasco da Gama
Vitória 2-0 Prudente
São Paulo 4-3 Santos
Palmeiras 1-1 Ceará
Fluminense 0-0 Botafogo

Flamengo pulled away from the relegation zone after a comfortable victory over Internacional at the Engenhão. Deivid set Fla on their way with fourteen minutes on the clock and Ranato Abreu made it two seven minutes before the break. A second from Deivid two minutes after the break wrapped things up for the Champions. Atlético-PR remain in the hunt for a Libertadores spot after their victory over Goiás at the Arena de Baixada. A goal from Branquinho with just three minutes on the clock put Atlético-PR ahead and they doubled the lead half way through the second half courtesy of Paraguayan Ivan Gonzalez. Rafael Moura halved the deficit for Goiás withy seven minutes left but the home side hung on to collect the points. Corinthians made it seven without a win as they were held at Guarani, a result that in the long run is damaging to their title hopes.

Atlético-MG`s fight against the drop continued as they dropped Avaí into the relegation zone for the first time this season after victory at the Mineirão. Rafael Cruz put Atlético-MG ahead seven minutes into the second half and Neto Berola made the game safe fifteen minutes later. Avaí are now below Atlético-MG in the table and seem doomed the for they are in. Leaders Cruzeiro suffered defeat at Grêmio as they home side made it eight unbeaten. Grêmio did it the hard way after falling behind to a Walter Montillo goal after 28 minutes but Júnior Viçosa levelled matters on the stroke of half time. The winner came from the penalty spot fifteen minutes from time courtesy of the league`s leading scorer Jonas, who made it twenty for the season. Atlético-GO continued their relegation fight with victory of Vasco da Gama. The visitors has Carlinhos sent off just after the hour and they fell behind with ten minutes left when Anailson scored. Atlético-GO wrapped things up three minutes from time when Marcio converted from the penalty spot. Vitória did their survivial chances no harm at all as they snapped a five game losing run to defeat Prudente. Julian Viáfara put Vitória ahead from the penalty spot five minutes before the break and José Junior wrapped things up twenty minutes from time. The defeat leaves Prudente 10 points away from safety with only 8 games left.

In the San-São at the Morumbi the crowd was treated to a seven goal thriller as São Paulo snatched victory in dramatic fashion. Alan Patrick had put Santos ahead with four minutes on the clock but by the twenty minute mark they were 3-1 down. A brace from Dagoberto put São Paulo ahead and an own goal from Pará made it three. Zé Eduardo immediately reduced the deficit to for Santos and when São Paulo had Richarlyson sent off 12 minutes after the break it was game on. With twenty minutes to go it was all square when Neymar converted from the spot but two minutes in the injury time Jean snatched all three points for São Paulo. After the trip to Bolivia in midweek, Palmeiras were held to a 1-1 draw by Ceará. Marcos Assunção put Palmeiras ahead just before half time but a penalty from Geraldo seven minutes from time gave Ceará a point. And finally in the Clássico 'Vovô' at the Enganhão it finished scoreless between Botafogo and Fluminense. The Tricolor missed out on the chance to close in on Cruzeiro at the top of the table whilst it`s now an amazing eight draws on the spin for Botafogo.

No midweek games in the league but four teams are in action in the Copa Sudamericana. Week 31 takes places next weekend and it`s a weekend of derbies with the Clássico dos Milhões, the Gre-Nal and The Derby Paulista

Botafogo x Vitória
Guarani x Atlético Goianiense
Corinthians x Palmeiras
Goiás x Avaí
Ceará x São Paulo
Atlético Paranaense x Fluminense
Santos x Prudente
Vasco da Gama x Flamengo
Cruzeiro x Atlético Mineiro
Grêmio x Internacional

Copa Sudamericana Week 10

Round of 16 - First Leg

Unión San Felipe 4-2 LDU Quito
Goiás 1-0 Peñarol
Atlético Mineiro 2-0 Santa Fe
Emelec 2-1 Avaí
Universitario 0-1 Palmeiras

The holder LDU Quito crashed to a 4-2 defeat in their opening game of the campaign against Unión San Felipe of Chile. The goals in the space of three first half minutes from David Di Stefano and Angel Vildozo put the Chileans in charge but Hernan Barcos pulled a goal back from the spot. When Carlos Luna levelled on the hour for LDU you thought it was business as usual but a second for Vildozo restored the lead and Juan Tolza grabbed a fourth four minutes from time. Goiás put their miserable league form behin them to record victory over Peñarol of Uuruguay. Rafael Moura with the only goal of the game 23 minutes into the first half.Atlético Mineiro are another team struggling in Brazil and they were another team tp put poor league form behind them as they recorded a 2-0 win over Santa Fe of Colombia. Obina was the Atlético-MG hero with a goal in each half.

Avaí came away from Emelec with a creditable 2-1 defeat, a result that gives them hope for the second leg. An own goal from Eltinho put Emelec into the lead after 64 minutes but Marcelinho levelled six minues later. Emelec them has Pedro Quiñónez sent off with six minutes to go and it was the ten men who snatched victory two minutes into injury time whe Joao Rojas struck. In Bolivia, Universitario`s success of the last round didn`t go unnoticed by Palmeiras who fielded a strong side in their 1-0 victory. Marcos Assunção with the onle goal of the game after 26 minutes. All remaining second leg ties take place week.

Round of 16 - Second Leg

Deportes Tolima 3-0 Banfield
3-3 on points, Deportes Tolima advances on goal difference

Huge shock in Colombia as Deportes Tolima dumped much fancied Banfield out of the competition and overcoming a two goal deficit in the process. Tolima made the perfect start when Wilder Medina put them ahead on the night and Christian Marrugo levelled the tie on aggregate four minutes before the break the belief was there. It took a bit of a knock back when Yair Arrechea was sent off on the hour but then ten men went ahead in the tie sixteen minutes from time when Rodrigo Marangoni scored. Banfield only needed to score to win on away goals but had Victor López sent off in injury time as the frustration grew.