Now, this is a title race !
After the typical inversion of results and form, in a way unique to the Brazilian Serie A - did somebody say parity - we have one helluva league run in on tap for the final stretch. Round 29 had its usual set of thrills and spills with the gap between first and sixth now just four points. Leaders Corinthians lost at Botafogo, who move back up to third, while Fluminense beat Coritiba 3-1 to ensure they stay in the hunt, albeit in sixth spot.
Seven games were played on Wednesday, while the remaining three took place on Thursday. Sao Paulo and Internacional got things off to a soporific start with a goalless draw that does neither team any good, dropping Sao Paulo down one spot in the standings to fourth, while Inter remain seventh.
Figueirense won away again, beating Gremio 3-1 as Aloisio, Elias and a late marker from Wellington Nem were enough to see off Edcarlos' strike for the home side. Avai and At Go drew 2-2 in Florianopolis with William's double for the home side bookending strikes from Anselmo and Vitor Junior.
Flamengo and Palmeiras also drew 1-1 as Thiago Neves and Maikon Leite both scored in the second half to share the points. America Mineiro showed there's life in them yet with a sumptuous 4-1 victory over visiting Ceara, dragging the latter into a looming relegation struggle. Fabio Junior, Rodriguinho and Gilson scored for the home side before Felipe Azevedo replied for the team from the remote North. Leo then scored an injury time marker to round out the scoring for America. They remain in last place but are just two points behind Avai. Ceara are now in 15th, two points above the last relegation spot.
Botafogo produced the result of the round with a clinical 2-0 win at Corinthians courtesy of goals from El Loco Sebastian Abreu and Maicosuel. Despite losing Bruno Cortes to a second yellow card just before the hour mark, Bota held on for a priceless victory that keeps them just a couple of points of Corinthians, who continue to lead, but only on goal difference.
Bahia and Cruzeiro drew goalless in the late game on Wednesday.
Thursday saw Vasco miss their chance to reclaim the lead managing only a 2-2 draw away to At Para. Paulo Baier and Joffre Guerron had given Atletico a 2-0 lead but Vasco fought back with a double from Elton. Vasco joins Corinthians at the summit with 51 points but trail on goal difference. At Para remain ensconced in the relegation zone with 28 points in 18th place.
Earlier the same day, Atletico Mineiro had defeated Santos at home, in a heated match, 2-1. Rever and Magno Alves scored either side of a penalty from Borges while both Crystian and Neymar were dismissed for the visitors. Neymar's straight red will come back to haunt Santos who miss him for a crucial portion of the campaign. With their fourth defeat in their last five Santos now drift back into the lower half of the table with just 38 points in 13th spot. Mineiro are 17th.
Fluminense destroyed Coritiba in the remaining game as a Fred hat trick saw off the Cup Finalists in in Rio. Marcos Aurelio's strike just after half time had made the game briefly 1-1 but further goals from the national team striker ensure that Fluminense remain in the mix for the league title, after having slumped to midtable earlier in the season.
With Copa Sudamericana round of 16 matches kicking off over the next few weeks, several Serie A clubs will be on double duty. Flamengo, Sao Paulo, Botafogo and Vasco, four of the top six, are all involved in first or second leg matches from now till the 26th of October. At Mineiro, At Para, Avai and America round out the relegation spots while Corinthians, Vasco, Botafogo, Sao Paulo, Flamengo and Fluminense make up the top six.
Borges latest strike, his 21st of the campaign keeps him miles out in front in the scoring charts while Fred and William move into the top six.
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At least the top 13 sides will qualify for continental competition next spring while the bottom four teams will get relegated to the 2012 Serie B. Santos added to the four spots the league gets in the 2012 Copa Libertadores by winning this year's edition.
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Vasco Da Gama, who won the Copa Do Brasil, have booked a spot at the 2012 Copa Libertadores.
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Round 30 takes place on the weekend as Fluminense travel to Palmeiras while Santos host Gremio.
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