Sao Paulo Close In On Third Successive Brasileiro

Sao Paulo are on course for what would be a record third-straight Campeonato Brasileiro after claiming a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama at the Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

The Brazilian champions started strongly, and Jorge Wagner gave them a well-deserved lead in the 21st minute with an inch-perfect free-kick.

But Vasco hit back nine minutes later when a long-range Madson effort deflected off Miranda and looped over a stranded Rogerio Ceni in the Sao Paulo goal.

Sao Paulo grew as a unit as the match progressed, and ended up winning the three points through Hugo when he scored following a corner-kick early in the second half.

The win saw Sao Paulo extend their lead at the top of the table to five points, and they only need to claim one more victory this season to clinch the title.

Vasco da Gama, on the other hand, sink further into the relegation zone with only two rounds remaining this season.

Gremio's title aspirations took a severe dent after suffering a 4-2 defeat to Vitoria at the Barradao stadium in Salvador.

An own goal from Anderson Martins in the 25th minute gave Gremio the lead, but Vitoria turned the result around in sensational fashion with four second-half goals.

They were scored by Leandro Domingues, Willians, Jackson and Marcelo Cordeiro, while Souza pulled a goal back for Gremio in injury-time.

Cruzeiro jumped into third place after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Flamengo at the Mineirao stadium of Belo Horizonte. Fernandinho and Thiago Ribeiro scored for Cruzeiro, while Ibson and Obina replied for Flamengo.

But the match had a final twist, as five minutes before full-time Ramires grabbed Cruzeiro the win with a magnificent effort from the edge of the area.

In Sunday's other matches, Palmeiras beat Ipatinga 2-0 and Sport Recife thrashed Atletico Mineiro 3-0.

Fluminense picked up a crucial 2-0 victory over Internacional at the Beiro-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, a result that takes them out of relegation danger.

While on Saturday, Atletico Paranaense came from behind to draw 2-2 with Botafogo, Portuguesa fought out a goalless draw with Goias, and finally, Coritiba crushed Santos 5-1.

Campeonato Brasileiro: Round 36 Results

November 22 (Saturday)

Botafogo 2 - 2 Atletico Paranaense 

Coritiba 5 - 1 Santos 

Portuguesa 0 - 0 Goias 

November 23 (Sunday)

Cruzeiro 3 - 2 Flamengo 

Vasco da Gama 1- 2 Sao Paulo 

Vitoria 4 - 2 Gremio 

Internacional 0 - 2 Fluminense 

Palmeiras 2 - 0 Ipatinga

Sport Recife 3 - 0 Atletico Mineiro

Gregory Sica