Argentina international Carlos Tevez scored his first goal for Corinthians on Saturday, helping the Brazilian club defeat Internacional de Limeira 2-0 in the Sao Paulo state championship.
Tevez, celebrating his 21st birthday, scored in the 63rd minute with a right-foot effort from near the penalty spot. He received a pass from Dinelson inside the box and quickly fired a low shot past Internacional goalkeeper Marcelo Cruz.
Striker Jo had put Corinthians ahead at Limeirao stadium with a first-time shot from about six metres in the 42nd minute.
With the win – Corinthians’ third consecutive in the Sao Paulo tournament – the three-time national champion jumped to eighth place in the 20-team standings.
Santos remained in first place by beating Atletico Sorocaba 1-0 in Sorocaba despite striker Robinho’s dismissal in the 51st minute after an altercation with Atletico midfielder Adaozinho.
Striker Basilio netted Santos’ game-winner in the 74th. The defending Brazilian champion has 13 points after five rounds.
Second-place Sao Paulo lost a chance to gain sole possession of the lead by drawing 2-2 with Uniao Barbarense at Antonio Guimaraes stadium.
Sao Paulo, which also has 13 points but trails Santos on goal difference, was up 2-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the match. The draw halted the team’s four-game winning streak.
Also on Saturday, Palmeiras lost to Portuguesa Santista 1-0 in Santos, while defending champion Sao Caetano fell to Rio Branco 3-1 in Americana.
In Rio de Janeiro it was the day of the famous Fla Flu (Flamengo and Fluminense) which finished in a 2-2 draw in the usually hyped-up match that seemed more like a friendly.
Both clubs had been eliminated from the first stage of the competition after losses in the previous round and the match at Maracana was meaningless to the championship.
Defender Bruno and striker Dimba scored for Flamengo, while forwards Alex and Tuta netted for Fluminense.
In Nova Friburgo, Friburguense held Botafogo scoreless in the final 45 minutes of a match suspended at half-time because of a blackout on January 25, keeping the 1-0 score it had achieved in the first half.
Botafogo and Friburguense are tied for second in Group A with seven points each after four rounds. Volta Redonda, which didn’t play on Saturday, is the leader with 10 points, while Vasco, which also didn’t play, is fourth with five.
All four clubs have chances to earn one of the two Group A berths for the next round.
In Group B, Americano with 12 points and Cabofriense with nine secured a spot in the next round. Flamengo, a five-time national champion and Brazil’s most popular club, finished last with four points.
The Rio de Janeiro tournament, known locally as Carioca championship, is divided in two stages. The winners of each stage play for the Rio de Janeiro state title.
