Corinthians overtake Vasco in first-place, while Neymar scores four goals for Santos.
Corinthians are back on track to win the Brazilian championship, after beating Avai 2-1, a result which allowed them to overtake Vasco da Gama in first-place, after their rivals could only afford a goalless draw against Sao Paulo. Corinthians and Vasco are level with 58 points, however, Corinthians have a better goal differential after 32 rounds of the competition.
They are closely followed by Botafogo with 55 points, while Fluminense and Flamengo aren't too far behind either, with 53 and 52 points, respectively.
Once again, Santos striker Neymar was the player of the round. He scored four goals as Santos thrashed relegation candidates Atletico Paranaense 4-1. Neymar increased his personal tally to eleven goals this season.
Brazilian superstar Neymar put on an outstanding display, scoring four times as Santos thrashed Atletico Paranaense 4-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Saturday. Once again Neymar proved that he is the most valuable property in South American soccer, and will definitely play a key role for the Brazilian national team for many years to come.
Neymar put Santos ahead as early as in the 3rd minute, when he slotted home a penalty kick that went in off the right post. Santos, who beat Penarol of Uruguay in the final of the Copa Libertadores at this very venue, piled heavy pressure on the Atletico defense, but went into the break with just a slight advantage.
Six minutes into the second half, Paulo Baier swung a corner-kick into the back post and Ecuadorian winger Guerron headed in to draw the visitors level. Atletico needed a win to escape from the relegation zone.
However, three minutes later Neymar converted another penalty kick, before competing his hat-trick two minutes later when he outwitted a defender and beat Atletico Paranaense goalkeeper Renan Rocha without any problems.
But Neymar still had time for more, as in the 70th minute he went on a brilliant individual run, entered the area and fired the ball into the back of the net.
Uruguayan striker Sebastian Abreu was the difference as Botafogo beat Cruzeiro 1-0 at the Engenhao stadium on Saturday. Despite the fact that both teams are on opposite ends of the table the clash was very evenly balanced.
The first period lacked clear goal-scoring opportunities, with the best chances coming from dead-ball situations or from long-distance shots. Both teams, who were very cautious, lacked ideas when moving to the attack.
With the first real chance of the match Botafogo broke the deadlock, as Elkeson sent a perfect left-wing cross into the area and Abreu connected to it with an unstoppable header. The goal allowed Abreu to reach his 50-goal milestone for the Rio de Janeiro club.
Five minutes from full-time Abreu had a good opportunity to score his second goal, but after taking advantage of a lapse of concentration from the Cruzeiro defense, and rounding goalkeeper Fabio, the veteran's effort was cleared off the line by Naldo. With the win, Botafogo remain in third-place, three points behind Vasco and Corinthians.
Vasco da Gama could only afford a goalless draw with Sao Paulo at the Sao Januario stadium, a result which allowed Corinthians to overtake them in first-place of the table.
Vasco, who scored eight times against Aurora at the same venue mid-week, looked very dangerous each time they moved forward, however, they couldn't break through a well-organised Sao Paulo defense.
Sao Paulo, who were eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana by Libertad, continued to lack ideas in their attack, even if Emerson Leao brought on Henrique, Canete and Rivaldo.
The standout of the match was goalkeeper Denis, who replaced Rogerio Ceni. Vasco could have won the match late on, but a powerful drive from Nilton was kept out by the brilliant Denis. The goalkeeper made several fine saves throughout the match and was the main reason why the match ended without any goals.
Corinthians returned to the top of the Brazilian championship after coming from behind to defeat Avai 2-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Sunday. Corinthians took full advantage of Vasco's slip-up against Sao Paulo to climb above them on goal difference, despite having the same amount of points after 32 rounds of the Brasileiro.
Things didn't get off to a good start for Corinthians, as in the 12th minute Robinho gave Avai the lead when he beat Julio Cesar with a well-placed left-footed shot from just inside of the area.
The scenario seemed to have gotten a whole lot worse for Corinthians six minutes into the second half with the dismissal of Leandro Castan. However, despite playing with ten-men Corinthians regrouped as a unit and their approach had its reward, as ten minutes later Willian sent an inviting ball into the path of Emerson and the substitute fired past Felipe to draw Corinthians level.
Corinthians pushed forward in search of the winner, and it arrived in the 77th minute in highly controversial fashion. Avai goalkeeper Felipe punched out a corner-kick but it was met by a looping header from Liedson that only just crossed the line before being cleared by a defender.
They are closely followed by Botafogo with 55 points, while Fluminense and Flamengo aren't too far behind either, with 53 and 52 points, respectively.
Once again, Santos striker Neymar was the player of the round. He scored four goals as Santos thrashed relegation candidates Atletico Paranaense 4-1. Neymar increased his personal tally to eleven goals this season.
Brazilian superstar Neymar put on an outstanding display, scoring four times as Santos thrashed Atletico Paranaense 4-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Saturday. Once again Neymar proved that he is the most valuable property in South American soccer, and will definitely play a key role for the Brazilian national team for many years to come.
Neymar put Santos ahead as early as in the 3rd minute, when he slotted home a penalty kick that went in off the right post. Santos, who beat Penarol of Uruguay in the final of the Copa Libertadores at this very venue, piled heavy pressure on the Atletico defense, but went into the break with just a slight advantage.
Six minutes into the second half, Paulo Baier swung a corner-kick into the back post and Ecuadorian winger Guerron headed in to draw the visitors level. Atletico needed a win to escape from the relegation zone.
However, three minutes later Neymar converted another penalty kick, before competing his hat-trick two minutes later when he outwitted a defender and beat Atletico Paranaense goalkeeper Renan Rocha without any problems.
But Neymar still had time for more, as in the 70th minute he went on a brilliant individual run, entered the area and fired the ball into the back of the net.
Uruguayan striker Sebastian Abreu was the difference as Botafogo beat Cruzeiro 1-0 at the Engenhao stadium on Saturday. Despite the fact that both teams are on opposite ends of the table the clash was very evenly balanced.
The first period lacked clear goal-scoring opportunities, with the best chances coming from dead-ball situations or from long-distance shots. Both teams, who were very cautious, lacked ideas when moving to the attack.
With the first real chance of the match Botafogo broke the deadlock, as Elkeson sent a perfect left-wing cross into the area and Abreu connected to it with an unstoppable header. The goal allowed Abreu to reach his 50-goal milestone for the Rio de Janeiro club.
Five minutes from full-time Abreu had a good opportunity to score his second goal, but after taking advantage of a lapse of concentration from the Cruzeiro defense, and rounding goalkeeper Fabio, the veteran's effort was cleared off the line by Naldo. With the win, Botafogo remain in third-place, three points behind Vasco and Corinthians.
Vasco da Gama could only afford a goalless draw with Sao Paulo at the Sao Januario stadium, a result which allowed Corinthians to overtake them in first-place of the table.
Vasco, who scored eight times against Aurora at the same venue mid-week, looked very dangerous each time they moved forward, however, they couldn't break through a well-organised Sao Paulo defense.
Sao Paulo, who were eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana by Libertad, continued to lack ideas in their attack, even if Emerson Leao brought on Henrique, Canete and Rivaldo.
The standout of the match was goalkeeper Denis, who replaced Rogerio Ceni. Vasco could have won the match late on, but a powerful drive from Nilton was kept out by the brilliant Denis. The goalkeeper made several fine saves throughout the match and was the main reason why the match ended without any goals.
Corinthians returned to the top of the Brazilian championship after coming from behind to defeat Avai 2-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Sunday. Corinthians took full advantage of Vasco's slip-up against Sao Paulo to climb above them on goal difference, despite having the same amount of points after 32 rounds of the Brasileiro.
Things didn't get off to a good start for Corinthians, as in the 12th minute Robinho gave Avai the lead when he beat Julio Cesar with a well-placed left-footed shot from just inside of the area.
The scenario seemed to have gotten a whole lot worse for Corinthians six minutes into the second half with the dismissal of Leandro Castan. However, despite playing with ten-men Corinthians regrouped as a unit and their approach had its reward, as ten minutes later Willian sent an inviting ball into the path of Emerson and the substitute fired past Felipe to draw Corinthians level.
Corinthians pushed forward in search of the winner, and it arrived in the 77th minute in highly controversial fashion. Avai goalkeeper Felipe punched out a corner-kick but it was met by a looping header from Liedson that only just crossed the line before being cleared by a defender.
