Brasileirão round 28 review: Leaders Cruzeiro lose again while Coritiba continue to slide

A late show of individual brilliance from Fernandinho secured Atlético Mineiro victory in the Galo e Cruzeiro.

The 27 year-old’s audacious long range strike left Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fábio helpless and inflicted a second defeat in a week on A Raposa, whose lead at the top of the Brasileirão is now down to ten points.

The win ensures Atlético remain in the hunt for a top four finish, though their participation in next year’s Copa Libertadores is already secured as champions.

For those chasing Cruzeiro at the top, results were mixed. Botafogo defeated Flamengo 2-1 to climb into 2nd, with Grêmio dropping down to 3rd after a 1-1 draw against ten man Fluminense. Marcelo’s solitary strike for Atlético Paranaense was enough to secure victory over struggling Portuguesa and bring them within a point of the top three.

Elsewhere, managerless Internacional hammered basement side Náutico 4-1. A fourth loss in six matches for Coritiba – 2-1 at Vitória – leaves them a place above the drop, while a late penalty miss from 40 year-old goalkeeper Rogério Ceni cost São Paulo three points at home to Corinthians.

Criciuma – 3-2 against Vasco da Gama – were the only side in the bottom half of the table to win.

Round 28 results