Brazilian 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 one-time Qatar 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 manager Muricy Ramalho won his fourth Serie A title in the last five years after he led Sao Paulo to three.

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.