Luís Fabiano scored his 14th goal in as many games to help São Paulo beat Vasco da Gama 2-0 and move within a point of the fourth-placed side.
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The Seleção forward struck from outside the area in the 20th minute, to equal Fluminense forward Fred and Portuguesa’s Bruno Mineiro in the scoring charts.
Osvaldo doubled the visitors’ lead early in the second half, with a curling a shot into the top corner, to seal the three points.
However, São Paulo had Rogério Ceni to thank after the veteran goalkeeper made a series of great saves to deny the home side in the second half.
The six-time league champions extended their unbeaten run in the Brasileirão to five games with the shock win, which keeps them in fifth place and Vasco in fourth, but with just one point between them.
Next up for the Tricolor is a visit from struggling Figueirense on Sunday, who are in 19th place, as they look to overtake Vasco, who travel to Santos.
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Vasco: Fernando Prass; Jonas (Auremir), Renato Silva (Fabrício), Rodolfo, Thiago Feltri (Felipe); Nilton, Wendel, Juninho, Marlone; Eder Luis, Alecsandro. Coach: Marcelo Oliveira
São Paulo: Rogério Ceni; Paulo Miranda, Rafael Tolói (Edson Silva), Rhodolfo, Cortez; Denilson, Wellington, Douglas e Jádson (Cícero), Osvaldo (Ademilson), Luis Fabiano. Coach: Ney Franco