Vasco da Gama beat champions Cruzeiro 2-1 to secure a vital three points, as they battle to avoid relegation.
First half goals from Thalles and Edmilson saw Adílson Batista’s side race into early lead. Defender Paulão pulled one back after the break, but Vasco held on.
Their ability to do so has brought them within a point of survival, with fellow strugglers Fluminense, Coritiba and Criciúma all failing to win.
Coritiba are now five games without victory after a 0-0 draw at Internacional. The early pacesetters – they started the season with a ten match unbeaten run – are level on 42 points with Fluminense, who lost 1-0 at Santos.
Criciúma moved a point clear of Flu, after a 1-1 draw against Vitória. Wellington Paulista’s first half penalty was cancelled out by Dinei. The result all but ends Vitória’s push for a top four finish.
Vasco, who are now two games unbeaten, look to have the momentum, while the fixtures also seem to favour them. They host already relegated Náutico next weekend.
Marcelo Martelotte’s side were thumped 6-1 by Atlético Paranaense. The Recife-based club have now lost eleven consecutive matches.
They are likely to be joined in the Brasileirão Série B by Ponte Preta. A creditable 1-1 with Grêmio leaves them six points adrift of safety with two rounds to play. Only an unlikely set of results and severe goal difference swing can save them.
Ponte Preta travel to Portuguesa on Sunday, who themselves are just two points clear of the drop, after a 1-0 defeat at Bahia.
Elsewhere, Copa Libertadores chasing Goiás were beaten 4-1 by Atlético Mineiro – Diego Tardelli got a hat-trick – while Flamengo won 1-0 against Corinthians and São Paulo held Botafogo, 1-1. The Fogão would have moved into the top four with a win.
Brasileirão Week 36 Results
Saturday 23rd November | ||
Vasco da Gama | 2 – 1 | Cruzeiro |
Thalles (3′) | Paulão (65′) | |
Edmilson (32′) | ||
Criciúma | 1 – 1 | Vitória |
Wellington Paulista (pen 13′) | Dineli (52′) | |
Atlético Mineiro | 4 – 1 | Goiás |
Fernandinho (23′) | Amaral (44′) | |
Diego Tardelli (33′, 66′, 72′) | ||
Sunday 24th November | ||
Atlético Paranaense | 6 – 1 | Náutico |
Zezinho (26′) | Tiago Real (47′) | |
Paulo Baier (27′) | ||
Felipe (52′, 63′) | ||
Ederson (pen 60′) | ||
Cleberson (72′) | ||
Santos | 1 – 0 | Fluminense |
Thiago Ribeiro (65′) | ||
Ponte Preta | 1 – 1 | Grêmio |
Adailton (16′) | Eduardo Vargas (55′) | |
São Paulo | 1 – 1 | Botafogo |
Aloísio (4′) | Elias (28′) | |
Bahia | 1 – 0 | Portuguesa |
Fernandão (45′) | ||
Internacional | 0 – 0 |
Coritiba |
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A