The Brazilian Campeonato title race is still wide open after Botafogo scored twice in the first-half to beat leaders Corinthians 2-0 in Sao Paulo. The result lifts Botafogo to third in the table, two points behind Corinthians but with a game in hand, while the top six are separated by just four points. Sebastian Abreu opened the scoring for Botafogo in the 11th minute when he headed in Elkeso's cross and it was 2-0 before half-time as Maicosuel cut inside and beat Julio Cesar. Corinthians came close to halving the deficit on a couple of occasions but could not find the back of the net, despite playing against 10-men for the last 30 minutes after Bruno Cortes was sent off.
Second-placed Vasco da Gama failed to capitalise fully on Corinthians' loss as they drew 2-2 at Atletico Paranaense, although the visitors were 2-0 down at the break. Paulo Baier and Joffre Gueron both scored in the first-half but Elton scored in the 66th and 82nd minute to rescue a point. Fred scored a hat-trick to help Fluminense keep themselves in the title race with a 3-1 win over Coritiba. Marcos Aurelio levelled for the newly-promoted side on the stroke of half-time but two more goals from Fred sealed the win for Flu.
Sao Paulo slipped down to fourth in the table after they were held to a goalless draw by Internacional. Flamengo and Palmeiras drew 1-1 in a game that almost didn't go ahead after Palmeiras player Joao Vitor was reportedly attacked outside the stadium by his own supporters. The match was eventually played and two second-half goals from Flamengo's Thiago Neves and Palmeiras forward Maikon Leite saw it end all-square. Palmeiras coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said afterwards that Kleber will not play for the club again while he is in charge after he criticised the way the directors handled the incident involving Vitor.
Neymar and Crystian both saw red as Santos were beaten 2-1 at Atletico Mineiro in a game that featured a penalty for both sides. Humberto Rever gave the hosts the lead before Borges struck for the spot to equalise for Santos. Crystian was then sent off for a foul in the area and Magno Alves scored the winner, with Santos losing Neymar late on to another red card.
Figueirense stunned Gremio 3-1 in Porto Alegre thanks to goals from Aloisio, Elias and Wellington, with Edcarlos briefly giving the hosts hope in the 68th minute. Cruzeiro's miserable run of form continued as they drew 0-0 at Bahia, while Avai scored an injury-time penalty to draw 2-2 with Atletico Goianiense. William gave Avai an early lead only for Anselmo and Victor Junior to turn the game around before the break. The hosts looked to be heading for defeat until William grabbed his second from the penalty spot late on.
America Mineiro recorded just their fourth win of the season as they beat Ceara 4-1 at home. The visitors dominated large parts of the match but went 3-0 down after Fabio Junior, Rodriguinho and Gilson all found the net. Ceara managed to pull a goal back through Felipe Azevedo but America sealed victory late on thanks to a fourth strike from Leo.
