Fluminense clinch Brazil Serie A title

Fluminense clinched Brazil's Serie A title with a 1-0 victory over Guarani as contenders Corinthians stumbled to a 1-1 draw against lowly Goias. In the final match of the championship, Cruzeiro scored a 2-1 victory against Palmeiras to leapfrog over Corinthians into second place. Fluminense went ahead thanks to a goal by Emerson in the 61st minute and managed to retain their lead by maintaining possession for the vast majority of the game. Dentinho equalized for Corinthians after his team fell behind to a Goias goal by Felipe, but the away team failed to produce the game winner they needed to stay in contention for the title. In any case, a victory for Flu was enough to guarantee them the title as Muricy Ramalho's team went into the final match with a one and two point lead over Corinthians and Cruzeiro respectively. Fluminense's victory put a damper on any possibility Corinthians would salvage the title in their centenary year, in what could be the last competitive season played by their flagship striker and global celebrity, Ronaldo. Fluminense's victory marks the first time they have won Brazil's Serie A title since 1984. Last year's championship winners Flamengo ended their disastrous season by avoiding relegation and taking 14th place out of 20 with a 0-0 draw against Santos in their final game of the season.

Final standings:

Fluminense: 71 points
Cruzeiro: 69 points
Corinthians: 68 points
Gremio: 63 points

Fluminense on verge of Brazil Serie A title

Fluminense stand on the brink of their first Brazil Serie A title since lifting the trophy in 1984 under the leadership of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. In their penultimate game, Fluminense won 2-1 against Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras through goals by Carlinhos and Tarta. Palmeiras striker Dinei threatened Fluminense's title chances by scoring from a spectacular long range strike from the right flank that rocketed past goalkeeper Ricardo Berna's right hand in the 4th minute. But the league leaders quickly regained their composure and created a bevy of scoring opportunities by means of their quick build-ups through midfield and intelligent distribution to the flanks. Fullback Carlinhos equalized in the 19th minute through a long range, right footed strike from the left flank before Tarta sealed the match for Fluminense with a left footed strike from within the box in the 58th minute. Fluminense's come from behind victory underscored their championship level mettle through a glorious display of attacking, free flowing football characteristic of Brazilian domestic teams at their best.

Meanwhile, second placed Corinthians secured a 2-0 victory over Vasco da Gama through goals by Bruno Cesar and Danilo. Third placed Cruzeiro stayed in the title hunt with a 2-1 victory over Flamengo, who narrowly avoided relegation by securing 15th place in the league under the leadership of their most recent coach, Wanderlei Luxemburgo.

In the final round of competition, Fluminense play at home against relegated Guarani, while Corinthians travel to play Goias. A loss by Fluminense and a win or draw for Corinthians would be enough to hand the title to Corinthians in their centenary year. A loss for Fluminense to Guarani would be monumental though coach Muricy Ramalho assured his fans that, despite their relegated status, he expects Guarani to play as professionals in a highly competitive final match. Cruzeiro stand an outside chance of claiming the title in the event they win and Fluminense and Corinthians both lose.

Corinthians star striker Ronaldo looks set to miss the final match against Goias because of a right thigh injury sustained in their 1-1 draw against Vitoria on November 21.

Standings:

Fluminense: 68 points
Corinthians: 67 points
Cruzeiro: 66 points

Fluminense overtake Corinthians in Brazil's Serie A with 2 rounds remaining

Fluminense regained the lead in Brazil's Serie A after pounding Sao Paulo 4-1 while Corinthians dropped points on the road to lowly Vitoria with a 1-1 draw marked by an injury to their flagship striker Ronaldo. Argentine playmaker Conca scored two goals and set up two more for Fluminense as they consolidated their position as favorites for the title with two rounds remaining. Fluminense defender Gum opened the scoring from a Conca corner in the 34th minute. Lucas equalized for Sao Paulo early in the second half but the last twenty minutes witnessed a torrent of goals initiated by Conca, the midfielder who is widely regarded as the best player in Brazil's Serie A this season. Conca put Fluminense back in the lead with a strike inside the box in the 74th minute and then former Lyon striker Fred poached Conca's long distance strike roughly five minutes later. Two minutes from time, Conca sealed an emphatic 4-1 victory for Fluminense with a left footed shot that positions Fluminense within striking range of their first Serie A title since 1984.

Corinthians, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on their draw to relegation battling Vitoria despite an early lead secured by a terrific pass from Ronaldo to midfielder Danilo, the goalscorer. But Vitoria equalized just before half time with a penalty due to a handball by Corinthians midfielder Ralf. Playing in his seventh consecutive match, Ronaldo was substituted in the interim between the two goals in the 30th minute for a right thigh muscle injury. His departure appeared to unsettle the league leaders as they failed to recover their rhythm and impose their game on the home team. Third placed Cruzeiro bounced back from last week's 1-0 loss to Corinthians with a 3-1 victory over Vasco da Gama from goals by Roger, Henrique and Edcarlos, all of which were assisted by corners or passes from Montillo. The result leaves Cruzeiro just one point behind Corinthians who, in turn, lag one point behind Fluminense with two matches remaining.

After 36 matches:

Fluminense: 65 points
Corinthians: 64 points
Cruzeiro: 63 points

Penultimate round: Sunday, November 28

Fluminense (away) v. Palmeiras
Cruzeiro (away) v. Flamengo
Corinthians (home) v. Vasco da Gama

Corinthians regain lead from Fluminense as Ronaldo penalty sends Brazil Serie A battle down to the wire

Ronaldo scored a decisive penalty in the closing minutes of a hard fought match against Cruzeiro to give Corinthians a crucial victory as the battle for the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A goes down to the wire with three matches remaining. Since Ronaldo's return from injury, Corinthians have now won four matches and drawn two, a significant turnaround from a period when the Timao suffered a five match winless streak when their flagship striker, more commonly known as The Phenomenon, was sidelined because of injury. Ronaldo has now played six consecutive 90 minute matches and the Corinthians number 9 has vowed to play as much as possible in order to bring the title back to Corinthians in their centenary year. The match against Cruzeiro represented a hard fought victory for Corinthians as Cruzeiro squandered a number of high percentage chances on goal. Ronaldo himself had a number of chances including a blistering run from midfield that resulted in a left footed shot that sailed over the crossbar. The 89th minute penalty was awarded when Ronaldo suffered a blow from the back that left him face down in the box. Cruzeiro players protested the penalty vociferously and in the process, defender Gil earned a red card. Under pressure, Ronaldo maintained his tradition of successful penalty taking by sending the ball low into the corner to goalkeeper Fabio's left as he dove right.

Meanwhile, Fluminense drew 1-1 with Goias, and consequently relinquished the lead in Brazil's Serie A to Corinthians. Corinthians now have 63 points, Fluminense have 62 and Cruzeiro have 60, with 3 matches remaining. Highly familiar with titles going down to the wire, the experienced Ronaldo noted that, in the battle for Brazil's Serie A, "everything will be decided only on the last day."

Flamengo Fire Silas Days After Zico's Resignation

As expected, Flamengo's President Patricia Amorin announced the club's decision to fire head coach Silas, just three days after the shock resignation of Zico, club legend and Executive Director of Football. In the 36 days that Silas occupied the position, he led Flamengo to only one victory in 10 matches. The defending champions now have a total of 30 points in Brazil's Serie A in contrast to Fluminense, Corinthians and Cruzeiro, who have 52, 49 and 48 respectively. Former Santos, Real Madrid and Brazil national team coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is widely considered the leading candidate for the position after he was fired by Atletico Mineiro last month. Flamengo now flirt dangerously near the relegation zone in 15th place and will require a major overhaul of form in order to salvage their 2010-2011 season.

Fluminense, Corinthians and Cruzeiro draw as battle for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A heats up

The race for the championship of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A remained tightly clustered around Fluminese, Corinthians and Cruzeiro, as the three leading teams drew over the October 2 weekend against opponents further down the table. Leaders Fluminense drew 1-1 with Gremio Prudente, second placed Corinthians fought back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Ceara and third placed Cruzeiro drew 0-0 with Atletico Paranaense. Internacional are in fourth place while Botafogo, who drew 1-1 with arch-rivals Flamengo, are now in fifth.

Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and substitute Matias de Federico scored in the 70th and 82th minute respectively to salvage a point for Adilson Batista's team and avoid dropping further down the table into third place. In the case of Fluminense, striker Rodriguinho scored in the 34th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, but Muricy Ramalho's team conceded a goal to Willian Jose 18 minutes before the whistle. The race for the title is now firmly on between the top four teams, though Corinthians and Internacional have a game in hand with 26 matches played in contrast to the 27 played by Fluminense and Cruzeiro.