– Compiled by EonHawk –

Saturday 29th October

Santos 4-1 Atlético Paranaense

Just two minutes into the game, Atlético conceded a penalty after a Cléber Santana push on Neymar in the box, as they both went for a loose ball in the area. The young prodigy stepped up to take it himself, converting the spot-kick via the post On 42′, Neymar ran onto a through ball to score his second. Alan Kardec however, on loan from joint Primeira Liga leaders, Benfica, had stepped over the through ball, allowing it to reach Neymar, but was in an offside position when the ball was played and was adjudged to have been interfering with play. It remained 1-0 at the break.

On 52′, Guerrón nodded in a corner right on the line, claiming credit for what might have been a “Olympic goal” (Latin American term for a goal direct from a corner), to level the game. A couple of minutes later, former Santos centre-mid Cléber Santana was penalised yet again for a push inside the box, with Neymar duly converting the penalty. Neymar received another ball inside the box, getting his hat-trick after receiving a long pass. With 20 minutes to go, you guessed it, Neymar scored his fourth. After receiving the ball 35 yards from goal, he dribbled with much ease through the opposition, to fire past Renan Rocha, another Santos graduate. Atlético managed to rattle the Santos goal twice after Neymar’s fourth, but alas, the game ended 4-1. With this win, Santos have maintained their mid-table position, some distance from both the championship and relegation battles.

Botafogo 1-0 Cruzeiro

Botafogo hosted Cruzeiro at the Engenhão with hopes of reducing the gap between themselves and the top two, Corinthians and Vasco. Both sides threatened throughout the game, but only Botafogo were successful. Elkeson crossed the ball to veteran Uruguayan forward, Loco Abreu, to head it powerfully into the corner, away from Fábio in goal. Cruzeiro remain one position above the relegation zone, in great danger of heading to the Série B next season. As for Botafogo, their third position was maintained, also remaining three points off the top.

Ceará 1-2 Fluminense

Early on Márcio Rosario was dispossessed as he tried to walk the ball out of defence, gifting Ceará’s Felipe Azevedo a chance on goal which he gratefully accepted, shooting low and to the left of former Liverpool reserve keeper, Diego Cavalieri. Rafael Sóbis, on loan from United Arab Emirate league champions, Al Jazira. got on the end of a great through pass from Fred to equalize shortly after the half-hour. He popped up again to score as Fluminense went ahead in the second half. The result leaves Ceará as the team with the most points in the relegation zone, and Fluminense with 53, only five away from Corinthians at the top.

Sunday 30th October

Corinthians 2-1 Avaí

Twelve minutes in, William received the ball in an offside position and passed it back to Robinho who put Avaí ahead, as it started to pour in the Pacaembu stadium. Corinthians struggled to create shots on goal. Only 30 minutes in Jorge Henrique, gave way for Emerson Sheik, who would later prove his worth.

Only two minutes into the second half, Leandro Castán took down Lincoln from behind, leaving Corinthians with only ten men for the remainder of the game. Nevertheless, Corinthians kept pushing and were rewarded when Emerson scored after a precise pass from William that went through three players leaving his strike partner clear to shoot into the net. Then, after a corner and some confusion in the box, Liédson heading the ball it goalward and watched it go just far enough for the assistant ref to give a goal. Corinthians sustained a great amount of pressure for the remainder of the game, but came away with the result.

With this win and Vasco’s draw in the São Januário, Corinthians regain the first in the Campeonato Brasileiro and will hope they can maintain it for the final 7 games of the championship.

Vasco 0-0 São Paulo

Vasco hosted São Paulo as they unsuccessfully attempted to hang on first in the championship. The game finished with an outcome that wasn’t what either had hoped for, a 0-0 draw. With this, Vasco opened way for Corinthians to take back the lead and São Paulo see the Copa Libertadores qualification places slowly slip away. The highlight of the game was Dênis, who had the tough job of filling in for the injured Rogério Ceni, and left the pitch with a job well done.

Grêmio 4-2 Flamengo

This game marked Ronaldinho’s first match at his old home, the Olimpico, since his move from Grêmio in 2001 to French side Paris Saint-Germain. There was great booing and chants of “mercenary” emanating from the crowd every time Ronaldinho touched the ball, as the Grêmio supporters had still not gotten over Ronaldinho turning down Grêmio in his return to Brazil, even though his brother and manager, Assis, had already confirmed his return to the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

Deivid opened the scoring for Flamengo after receiving a pass which he slid inside the post past Victor in goal. Thiago Neves had the ball cut back to him just outside the box and he hit it with his weaker right. The ball deflected off a Grêmio defender putting it past Victor again, to double their advantage. Before the end of the first half, André Lima, with his back against the goal, received the ball, turned around and shortened the gap between the teams. After sliding the ball through Renato Abreu’s legs, André Lima shot from far away to tie the game. Douglas and Miralles both scored great goals and completed the tally as they pushed Grêmio’s come back on Flamengo.

Figueirense 2-1 Bahia

Bahia took the lead as Diones kicked and the ball hit the opposition and went into the net. Fernandes scored twice still to turn around against Bahia. Figueirense reach, with this win, 50 points, only two less than Flamengo, the last team on the Libertadores zone. Bahia, however, are nearing no longer in the Sulamericana qualifying zone, and have entered the grey area between that and the relegation zone.

Atlético Mineiro 2-1 Palmeiras

Neto Berola took the lead and commemorated FIFA style after opening the tally against Palmeiras. After a stupendous play by Atlético, Felipe Souto received a heel pass from the former Santos striker, André and let loose against the goal, 2×0. In the next ten minutes, Palmeiras had two players red-carded, but still managed to score a late goal with Luan after a great play from Maikon Leite. Atlético Mineiro open their gap from the relegation zone, and having two more wins than Bahia, will remain, at least until next round, on the 14th position, which grants them entry into the Sul-Americana of 2012.

Coritiba 3-1 América Mineiro

Kempes opened the score for América after not having been given appropriate marking from the opposition. Rafinha dribbled several América players and eventually got close enough to shoot on target and tie for the home side. Davi and Jéci scored each one more and guaranteed Coritiba the win. With this result, América remain in the last position with only 25 points. Coritiba, with 20 more, are in 11th.

Atlético-GO 0-1 Internacional

As Leandro Damião returned to the team after 39 days being injured, but Kléber was the star that shone in the end. On the 59 minute mark , ckear from any marking, he received the ball and kicked it, scoring what would have turned out to be the only goal in the match. With the win, Internacional amass 51 points, one behind Flamengo, who currently sits in fifth with a Libertadores spot.