Corinthians lead the Brasileirao after a brave comeback against lowly Avai. Despite going a goal behind and losing Leandro to a red card, the Paulista giants battled hard to snatch a 2-1 victory thanks to second half goals from Emerson (62') and Liedson (78').
Vasco Da Gama surrendered top spot following their 0-0 draw with Sao Paulo. Denis, who replaced the injured Rogerio Ceni in goal for Sao Paulo, was in superb form and denied Gigante da Colina the three points with a string of great saves. Corinthians now lead the championship with 58 points from 32 games, just edging Vasco on games won(17 v 16).
Ronaldinho's return to Gremio ended in disappointment as Flamengo slumped to a 4-2 defeat in Porto Alegre. Despite leading 2-0 through Deivid and Thiago
Neves, Flamengo fell to pieces in the second half; an Andre Lima brace, followed by late strikes from Douglas and Miralles, sunk the Rio club, who sit in fifth place as the battle for the coveted Copa Libertadores places intensifies. Former Barcelona player Ronaldinho, returning after suspension, was taunted mercilessly by Gremio fans throughout the game, branding him a 'mercenary' and a 'traitor'.
Botafogo maintain third place after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cruzeiro thanks to Sebastian Abreu`s bullet-like header. The Uruguayan hitman rose highest in the box to knock home Elkeson's pinpoint cross in the 54th minute, getting Botafogo back to winning ways following three successive
league defeats.
Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro leapfrog Cruzeiro, their bitter Belo Horizonte rivals, and move four points clear of the danger zone after beating Palmeiras 2-1. Neto Berola and Fillipe Soutto were on the scoresheet for Cuca's team, while Luan snatched a late consolation for Palmeiras.
The weekend's major talking point happened on Saturday night when teen sensation Neymar scored all four goals as Santos thrashed Atletico Paranaense 4-1 at the Pacaembu. More good news followed for Santos yesterday when the Brazil international escaped further punishment for a red card received against Atletico-MG two weeks ago. The Balon D'or nominee was facing a possible six game ban for the petulant show of dissent, but will be back to face Vasco next week.
Figueirense came from a goal behind to beat Bahia 2-1 at the Estadio Orlando Scarpelli in Florianopolis. Two spectacular long-range strikes from Rodrigo Fernandes cancelled out Diones' deflected opener. Fernandes' first, a thunderous right-footed effort from all of 30 yards, was the goal of the weekend.
Elsewhere, a double-strike from Rafael Sobis helped Fluminese to a 2-1 win away at Ceara, while Kleber's 59th minute effort was the deciding factor as Internacional saw off Atletico-GO. Finally, bottom placed America Mineiro lost 3-1 at Coritiba.
Gameweek 32 results:
Santos 4-1 Atletico Paranaense
Botafogo 1-0 Cruzeiro
Ceara 1-2 Fluminense
Corinthians 2-1 Avai
Vasco da Gama 0-0 Sao Paulo
Gremio 4-2 Flamengo
Figueirense 2-1 Bahia
Atletico Mineiro 2-1 Palmeiras
Coritiba 3-1 América Mineiro
Atletico Goianiense 0-1 Internacional
