Sao Paulo Fail To Clinch Third Straight Brasileiro

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Junior Cesar e Joilson, Fluminense x São Paulo

Sao Paulo knew that a victory over Fluminense would clinch them a record third successive championship, but they struggled to find their top form and ended up settling for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Morumbi stadium.

Gremio cut their lead down to only three points, with one round remaining this season, after thrashing Ipatinga 4-1.

Fluminense, who have picked up their game in recent weeks, took a surprise lead at the Morumbi, when substitute Tarta poked the ball in from a rebound four minutes after the break.

But Sao Paulo managed to equalize in the 57th minute, through Borges, who connected to a cross from Jorge Wagner, to the delight of the partisan 70,000 crowd.

Andre Dias almost snatched Sao Paulo a victory seven minutes from full-time, but his fine header struck the post.

Sao Paulo will still secure the championship if they pick up a point on their visit to Goias next Saturday.

Gremio still have possibilities of winning the title, after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Ipatinga at the Ipatingao stadium.

Gremio fell behind to a 5th minute goal from Pablo Escobar, but a double from Marcel and another goal from Jean gave them a 3-1 lead heading into the break. Leo added their fourth goal in the second half.

The result sent Ipatinga to the Second Division, where they will be joined by Portuguesa, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Sport Recife.

Flamengo's chances of qualifying for the 2009 Copa Libertadores took a severe dent, when they surrendered a 3-0 lead in the 35th minute to draw 3-3 with Goias.

Vasco da Gama keep alive their chances of remaining in the Brazilian top-flight, after a 2-0 victory over Coritiba at the Couto Pereira stadium.

Meanwhile, Internacional edged Cruzeiro 1-0 at the Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, with a strike from Gustavo Nery in the 14th minute. Cruzeiro missed a penalty-kick in the second half.

In the other matches of the round, Figueirense defeated Botafogo 3-1, Nautico edged Atletico Paranaense 1-0, and the matches between Atletico Mineiro and Santos, and Vitoria and Palmeiras ended in goalless draws.

Campeonato Brasileiro: Round 37 Results

November 30 (Sunday)

Atletico Mineiro 0 - 0 Santos  

Botafogo 1 - 3 Figueirense  

Coritiba 0 - 2 Vasco da Gama

Flamengo 3 - 3 Goias  

Internacional 1 - 0 Cruzeiro

Ipatinga 1 - 4 Gremio  

Nautico 2 - 1 Atletico Paranaense  

Portuguesa 2 - 2 Sport Recife  

Sao Paulo 1 - 1 Fluminense  

Vitoria 0 - 0 Palmeiras

Gregory Sica, Goal.com