Sao Paulo was defeated late by Botafogo thanks to Renato Caja
After two rounds of the Brazilian championship, three-time champions Sao Paulo are yet to claim a victory, this time losing 2-1 to Botafogo at the Morumbi stadium. Coach Ricardo Gomes prioritized his team’s Copa Libertadores quarterfinals return leg against Cruzeiro in the middle of the week, thus Sao Paulo went into the game with a side that included starters and reserves.
Leo Lima, a midfielder for Sao Paulo, scored the first goal in the eighth minute to give his team the lead. However, Antonio Carlos, the league’s top goal scorer with three goals, equalized for the visitors in the 27th. In the 88th minute, just as it looked like the game would end in a tie, Renato Caja entered the field to give Botafogo the victory.
After being beaten to a 1-1 tie by first-division newcomers Ceara, Santos, like Sao Paulo, is yet to record a league victory. The Santos team’s teenage phenom Neymar scored a penalty goal in the first half, but he also missed one late in the game. In preparation for Wednesday’s second leg of their Copa do Brasil semifinal against Gremio, Santos was missing several important players, including Brazilian international Robinho.
Ralf and Souza scored once in each half to help Corinthians defeat Gremio 2-1 and take the lead in the competition. With 15 minutes remaining in the second half, Maylson restored Gremio’s lead. Despite Porto Alegre’s best efforts, they could not score an equalizer.
Ronaldo, a former World Footballer of the Year, missed the Corinthians’ game because of a minor muscle ailment, but he should be able to play in the team’s upcoming league encounter.
At the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Cruzeiro battled back from being two goals down in the first half to force a 2-2 draw with Avai. Due to their upcoming Copa Libertadores quarterfinals second leg match with Sao Paulo, Cruzeiro was missing several of its starters.
Other games played on Sunday were Internacional’s 3-2 victory against Goias, Atletico Paranaense’s 2-2 tie with Guarani, and a scoreless draw between Palmeiras and Vasco da Gama.
On Saturday, Gremio Prudente defeated Atletico Mineiro 4-0, Flamengo and Vitoria drew 1-1, and Fluminense defeated Atletico Goianiense, a first-division debutant, 1-0.
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