Brazil Serie A wrap: Fluminense break title drought

Fluminense secured their first Brazilian Serie A title in 26 years with a 1-0 win over Guarani on Sunday.

In a tense encounter at the Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange, Fluminense had a 61st-minute strike from striker Emerson to thank for clinching the title.

The win carried them to 71 points – two clear of Cruziero and three ahead of Corinthians, who were the only two sides still in contention.

Corinthians, who trailed Fluminense by just one point heading into the final day of fixtures, were held to a 1-1 draw at Goias.

Felipe Amorim opened the scoring for Goias after 19 minutes but, despite forward Dentinho’s 29th-minute equaliser, Corinthians could not find a winner.

Cruzeiro defeated Palmeiras 2-1 at home, and had to come from behind after Rivaldo gave the visitors the lead eight minutes after half-time.

Midfielder Henrique equalised for Cruzeiro nine minutes later and striker Wallyson scored the winner in injury time.

But Fluminense’s win meant neither result mattered, and coach Muricy Ramalho won his fourth Serie A title in the last five years after he led Sao Paulo to three.

Emerson – formerly based in Qatar – said he was delighted with his goal, which helped the club to their first title since Carlos Alberta Parreira took them to glory in 1984.

“It’s a goal that will stay forever in the club’s history,” Emerson said.

“I know that in 10 years, 20 years or 40 years, people will talk about this goal and about what it meant to the club. I just hope that these fans won’t have to wait so long again to celebrate another title like this.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Gremio secured a fourth-placed finish with a 3-0 win over Botafogo, while Atletico Paranaense clinched fifth with a 1-0 win over Avai.

Santos finished in eighth place after a 0-0 draw with Flamengo, who were 14th, and Sao Paulo finished ninth after a crushing 4-0 win over Atletico MG.

Vasco da Gama enjoyed a 2-0 win over Ceara with the sides finishing 11th and 12th respectively, while EC Vitoria played out a goalless draw with Goianiense in a match the former needed to win in order to avoid relegation.

Vitoria therefore join Guarani, Goias and bottom-side Gremio Barueri as the teams relegated from the top flight this season.