Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 15

Coritiba 2-2 Botafogo
Náutico 1-2 Santos
Goiás 3-0 Atlético Paranaense
Internacional 3-2 Barueri
Santo André 1-1 Corinthians
Palmeiras 1-0 Fluminense
Cruzeiro 1-0 Sport Recife
Flamengo 3-1 Atlético Miniero
São Paulo 2-1 Grêmio
Avaí 4-0 Vitória

A lazy round up of the midweek action due to time constraints.

Palmeiras take over at the top of the table after Atlético-MG's defeat at Flamengo. The Big Green hammering another nail into the Fluminense coffin. Avaí made it 5 wins on the spin against Vitória and Champions São Paulo made it two wins on the spin. Goiás moved into fourth as a point for Botafogo lifted them three clear of the relegation zone and teams are now being cast adrift at the bottom of the table.

Only 9 games this weekend as Inter and Santos have the weekend off for some reason. That game will played at the end of August alongside the Cruzeiro v Botafogo game that was postponed because of the Libertadores final.

The rest line up as follows

Botafogo x Barueri
Sport x Palmeiras
Corinthians x Avaí
Atlético Paranaense x Fluminense
Flamengo x Náutico
Vitória x São Paulo
Atlético Miniero x Coritiba
Grêmio x Cruzeiro
Santo André x Goiás

Game of the weekend is the big bottom of the table clash between Atlético-PR and Fluminense. Normal service will be resumed on Monday.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 14

Atlético Paranaense 1-3 Avaí
Botafogo 3-2 Internacional
Grêmio 3-2 Santo André
Santos 1-2 Flamengo
Atlético Miniero 0-1 Goiás
Sport Recife 3-3 Náutico
Corinthians 0-3 Palmeiras
Vitória 1-0 Coritiba
Fluminense 1-1 Cruzeiro
Barueri 1-2 São Paulo

Avaí made it 4 wins on the spin with a victory over Atlético-PR in Curitiba. Muriqui put the visitors ahead with 10 on the clock and William doubled the advantage quarter of an hour later. William then made it 3 on the hour before Marcinho got scant consolatoin for Atlético. Botafogo picked up a vital win over a stuttering Internacional at the Engenhão. Wellington put the home side ahead with 11 minutes on the clock after some poor goalkeeping and Andre Lime doubled the advantage 5 minutes later. Andrezinho got Inter back into the game, converting a penalty 2 minutes into the second half and against the run of play Leandro levelled this just past the hour. 'Fogo claimed three vital points though when Alessandro was at the back post to fire home the winner with 15 minutes left. Finally on Saturday Grêmio overcame Santo André despite going a goal behind to Antonio Flavio's shot which only just got over the line. Grêmio were ahead by half time, Rafael Marques headed them level before Souza fired them ahead with a cracker. A second for Marques made the lead two before Ricardo Goulart got a consolation for Santo André in injury time.

Flamengo showed their was immediate life after the departure of Cuca in midweek after they picked up a come from behind 2-1 at Santos. Robson put the hosts ahead with 69 minutes on the clock but 8 minutes later Adriano levelled things before Pará heartbreakingly put the ball into his own net with three minutes to go. League leaders Atlético-MG suffered a surprise home defeat to Goiás, Iarley with the only goal of the game with 8 minutes left. The highest scoring game of the weekend came in Recife where Sport and Náutico shared 6 goals between them. Náutico were on the board first through Carlinhos Bala but Fabiano Pereira ensured parity at half time. Gilmar edged Náutico ahead again from the spot two minutes into the second half before Durval and Guto edged Sport ahead. However it was a second goal from Carlinhos Bala that levelled things up. Vitória moved up to third after a single goal victory over Coritiba, Leandro Domingues with the only goal of the game with 64 minutes on the clock. Fluminense finally picked up a point after 5 straight defeats, coming from behing to claim a point with Cruzeiro. Henrique put Cruzeiro ahead after some great passing and movement but Kieza put Flu level just after half time. Cruzeiro then had Leonardo Silva sent off but hung on to claim a point. Barueri fell to their first defeat since week 3, going down 2-1 to São Paulo. Washington put the visitors ahead with 13 minutes on the clock but Ralf equalised 7 minutes later after his shot went through the São Paulo keeper like a dose of salts. André Dias put São Paulo back ahead 4 minutes later and despite losing Washington to a second yellow card on the hour the Champions held up to pick up their fourth win of the season.

The game of the weekend was undoubtedly the derby between Corinthians and Palmeiras. The hatred is apparent and this game was moved to the city of Presidente Prudente to avoid any crowd trouble. Palmeiras ended up having a 570km bus ride after they were unable to fly due to poor weather and didn't arrive until dawn on Sunday morning. Corinthians meanwhile had no such problems. Cleiton Xavier rasped the Corinthians bar form a free kick early door and it was no surprise when Obina put Palmeiras ahead on the half hour. Corinthians were then denied by an offside flag and Palmeiras keeper Marcos. Obina then doubled the lead from the spot on the hour with a re-taken penalty after Cleiton Xavier was upended in the box and Obina completed his hat-trick after a hopeful punt upfield and a poor header saw Cleiton Xavier and Obina two on one with the keeper and Xavier teed Obina up. Corinthians day got worse when Alessandro was sent off with 15 minutes to go, but that wasn't as big a blow as the injury picked up by Ronaldo. The former world footballer of the year went over in the 20th minute and has since been confirmed as having a double fracture in his left hand. He is expected to miss the next 6 weeks.

Yet another midweek round again this week, here's how they line up.

Coritiba x Botafogo
Náutico x Santos
Goiás x Atlético Paranaense
Internacional x Barueri
Santo André x Corinthians
Palmeiras x Fluminense
Cruzeiro x Sport Recife
Flamengo x Atlético Miniero
São Paulo x Grêmio
Avaí x Vitoriá

A round of those will appear sometime on Friday evening.

Another One Bites The Dust

Flamengo have sacked coach Cuca after the 1-1 draw with Barueri at the Maracaña on Wednesday night. Flamengo have become the ninth club to be relieve their coach of his position since the season started in May. The Flamnengo fans were chanting "Goodbye Cuca" after the game. Flamengo vice-president Kléber Leite told the gathered media "We talked with Cuca after the match and we believe it's time to part company." Andrade, an assistant coach at Fla will take charge of the team for the game at Santos on Sunday.

Cuca stated that this team should be good enough to claim a top 4 berth and qualify for next years Copa Libertadores especially after singing Adriano after his release from Internazionale Milano.

There have been coaching changes since the start of Série A at Flamengo's city rivals Fluminense, Champions São Paulo, Santos, twice at Náutico, Palmeiras, Atlético Paranaense, Sport Recife and Grêmio.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 13

Flamengo 1-1 Barueri
Santo André 0-2 Cruzeiro
Avaí 1-0 Grêmio
Santos 1-0 Atlético Paranaense
Náutico 2-2 Botafogo
Goiás 2-1 Palmeiras
Internacional 2-2 São Paulo
Coritiba 1-1 Sport Recife
Atlético Miniero 2-1 Fluminense
Corinthians 2-1 Vitória

Flamengo hosted in form Barueri and were rocked when Série A leading scorer Val Baiano put Barueri into a deserved lead from the spot after 53 minutes. It was a deserved lead as Barueri had kept Fla keeper Bruno busy through out the first half. The equaliser came 16 minutes later after Kléberson's cross was not dealt with by the Barueri defence and Emerson was left unmarked to fire home. After, Willans hit a post for Fla but both teams took a point. The Santo André bubble has quickly burst with a second consecutive defeat, Kléber fired Cruzeiro ahead on the hour and a great strike from Diego Ranan wrapped up the points for Cruzeiro to lift them out of the relegation zone. Avaí made it three straight wins after powerful free kick from the edge of the D by Fernandinho gave them the points against Grêmio. Fernandihno though got himself sent off 12 minutes after his goal for a second bookable offence. Vanderlei Luxemburgo got off to a winning start at Santos as they defeated Atlético-PR 1-0, Neymar with the goal with 17 minutes left. Náutico snapped a 6 game losing streak after picking up a point at home to Botafogo. The visitors when ahead after Juninho scored after a move from a corner after 20 minutes. The home side fought back and Gilmar equalised from the spot just short of the hour and then headed Náutico into the lead 8 minutes later but they were pegged back when Eduardo couldn't handle a Juninho free kick and Reinaldo was there for the rebound to equalise. This result leaves both teams in the relegation zone. Palmeiras missed a chance to go top for 24 hours when they fell to defeat at Goiás. Palmeiras took the lead when Diego Souza put the Big Green ahead with a rasper from 30 yards out. Léo Lima equalised form the spot with a quarter of an hour left and Bruno Meneghel stole the points for Goiás 3 minutes from time when his shot deflected past Marcos. In the last game on Wednesday night Alcesandro headed Internacional into a quick fire two goal lead against São Paulo. The champions are made of sterner stuff these days, Hernanes striking 3 minutes into the second half after getting through the Inter defence with ease before Jean rescused a point with 20 minutes left with a looping shot that escaped the grasp of Lauro in the Inter goal.

Coritiba picked up a second straight draw against Sport. Antonio Dutra put Sport ahead in the 18th minute but Coritiba were level 4 minutes later, Marcelinho with the equaliser. Atlético-MG went three points clear at the top as Fluminense lost their 5th straight game. Serginho Miniero put Atlético-MG ahead on the hour and 5 minutes later Diego Tardelli doubled the advantage. Kieza pulled one back for Flu but it wasn't enough to prevent them remaining entrenched in the relegation zone. Finally Corinthians climbed above Vitória after a 2-1 win at the Pacaembu. Denthino put the home side ahead after 20 minutes before Jean doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Apodi responded for Vitória but the home side held on to climb to fourth.

Round 14 fixtures this weekend

Atlético Paranaense x Avaí
Botafogo x Internacional
Grêmio x Santo André
Santos x Flamengo
Atlético Miniero x Goiás
Sport Recife x Náutico
Corinthians x Palmeiras
Vitótia x Coritiba
Fluminense x Cruzeiro
Barueri x São Paulo

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 12

Fluminense 1-4 Goiás
Palmeiras 1-0 Santo André
Vitória 0-0 Atlético Mineiro
Cruzeiro 1-2 Corinthians
Atlético Paranaense 0-0 Coritiba
Grêmio 2-1 Internacional
São Paulo 2-1 Santos
Sport 1-4 Avaí
Barueri 4-0 Náutico
Flamengo 2-2 Botafogo

Fluminense's season goes from bad to ratshit after yet another defeat despite a change of manager. It was looking good when Ruy put Flu ahead 2 minutes into the second half but strikes from Ramalho, Julio César, Felipe and Iarley gave Goiás the points. Palmeiras bought Santo André's winning run to and end with a 1-0 victory at the Palestra Itália. Diego Souza slammed home the winner with 23 minutes on the clock to put the Big Green level on points at the top of the table with Atlético-MG who were held to a goalless draw at Vitória.

Ronaldo returned to his first club, Cruzeiro, with Corinthians. It was the first time he'd ever faced them since leaving for Eindhoven all those years ago. Jorge Henrique put Corinthians ahead but five minutes later Ronaldo missed a penalty. He made up for it 22 minutes from time by doubling the lead. Kléber reduced the defecit with 6 minutes to go but Cruzeiro were defenitely showing signs of a hangover from the Libertadores defeat. No drama at derby day in Curitiba where Atlético-PR and Coritiba played out the second 0-0 draw of the weekend. In Porto Alegre the 377th Gre-Nal went the way of the home side. Nilmar put Inter ahead in the 25th minute with a cool left foot finish. Souza equalised for Grêmio 11 minutes later with a cracking free kick form 25 yards out and Maxi López secured the points for Grêmio, heading in after a shot had been blocked on the line. Another derby, this time at the Morumbi where São Paulo took on Santos. Wellington putting São Paulo ahead with a header but the lead lasted less than a minute with Roni equalising for Santos, who named Vanderlei Luxemburgo as their new coach today. Washington won it for São Paulo 5 minutes into the second half, firing home from 10 yards out. Avaí's mini revival continued as they picked up their second win in as many games this time at Sport. Igor put Sport ahead but a minute latAller Avaí were level thanks to an own goal from Dude. Roberto put Avaí ahead in the second half and Luis Ricardo wrapped things up and suddenly Avaí have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone. Barueri's dream season continues as they climb to 5th thanks to Val Baiano's four goal haul against Náutico. There were two penalties in Val Baiano's haul as he becomes the leading scorer in Série A. And finally another derby, this time at the Maracaña where Flamengo and Botafogo faced off. Alessandro put the visitors ahead in the 35th minute after follwing up from a free kick but Adriano headed Flamengo level by half time. Renato then edged Botafogo ahead again with 18 minutes left but Emerson then broke Fogo hearts with an equaliser two minutes from time.

Again there is a midweek round in Série A this week

Flamengo x Barueri
Santo André x Cruzeiro
Avaí x Grêmio
Santos x Atlético Paranaense
Náutico x Botafogo
Goiás x Palmeiras
Internacional x São Paulo
Coritiba x Sport Recife
Atlético Mineiro x Fluminense
Corinthans x Vitória

And we'll round them all up on Friday

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 11

Goiás 0-2 Avaí
Coritiba 2-1 Grêmio
Santo André 1-0 Atlético Paranaense
Santos 3-3 Barueri
Internacional 4-2 Fluminense
Flamengo 1-2 Palmeiras
Atlético Mineiro 2-0 São Paulo
Corinthians 4-3 Sport Recife
Náutico 1-1 Vitória

Two days after disposing of Wagner Mancini the Santos players were greeted by a hail of eggs by protesting fans as they arrived at the Vila Belmiro for the game against Barueri. The mood wasn't helped as Barueri took a 3-1 lead inside half an hour, with two goals coming from Val Baiano but late goals from Robson and Neymar salvaged a point for Santos. More biffo in Porto Alegre as 4 players were sent off as managerless Fluminense slumped to 19th after a 4-2 loss to Internacional. Internacional were two up inside half an hour through Sorondo and Andrezinho. The second goal coming after Fluminense's Fred was sent off for the second time in as many weeks for fighting Internacional's Magrão but it looked little more than handbags to be fair to both players. Fluminense did level things through Ruy and Dario Conca but Taison put Internacional back ahead with cracking strike 10 minutes from time, then Internacional had Gladyson sent off for second bookable offence before Diguinho for Fluminense got a deserved straight red a minute later for a shocking tackle before Taison added a second in injury time to wrap up the win.

Bottom of the table Avaí picked up a crucial away win at Goiás, second half strikes from Muriqui and Roberto lifting Avaí off the bottom of the table. Coritiba had a come from behind win over Grêmio. Jonas put the visitors ahead in the 9th minute before an absolute corker from Marcelinho levelled things just before half time before a second half strike from Areil Nahuelpan gave Coritiba the win. Thiego was sent off for Grêmio just after half time for kicking out at Marcos Aurélio. Santo André picked up their second 1-0 win within three day this time defeating Atlético-PR. Vinicius Ferreira with the goal 4 minutes into the second half. After being punted out of the Maracaña for some mid-season music concert Flamengo hosted Palmeiras and Diego Souza and José Ortigoza put the visitors 2-0 ahead. Adriano replied in the 71st minute from the spot but the Big Green held on to move up temporarily into second.

Atlético-MG returned to the top of the table after a comfortable 2-0 win over champions São Paulo. Atlético-MG got off to the perfect start when Diego Tardelli fired them ahead in the first minute of the game, Serginho Mineiro wrapped things up in the second half for the league leaders. Corinthians climed to sixth after coming out on top in a 7 goal thriller with Sport. Fabiano Pereira put Sport ahead in the 7th minute but two quick fire strikes from Ronaldo put Corinthians ahead at the break. Cristian extended the lead before two goals in 4 minutes from Vandinho suddenly levelled things. Moradei broke Sport hearts with the winner 10 minutes from time. Bottom of the table and managerless Náutico broke their 5 game losing streak with a come from behind draw against Vitória. Roger put the Vitória head with 10 minutes gone and Náutico must have feared the worst but they got rewarded with 25 minutes to go, Gilmar converting from the spot after Wallace had been sent off. Náutico remain bottom, whilst Vitória stay in fourth.

The game between Botafogo and Cruzeiro was postponed due to the latters involvement in the Libertadores final.

Week 12 fixtures.

Fluminense x Goiás
Palmeiras x Santo André
Vitória x Atlético Mineiro
Cruzeiro x Corinthians
Atlético Paranaense x Coritiba
Grêmio x Internacional
São Paulo x Santos
Sport Recife x Avaí
Barueri x Náutico
Flamengo x Botafogo

Derbies galore this weekend and none bigger than the one in Porto Alegre as the 377th Gre-Nal takes place. Internacional currently lead this series by 141 wins to 118. Also taking place this weekend is the San-São and in Rio de Janeiro it's Flamengo against Botafogo. Meanwhile leaders Atlético-MG travel to Vitória whilst Náutico look to lift themselves off the bottom of the table at Barueri.

Copa Libertadores Final 2nd Leg

Cruzeiro 1-2 Estudiantes

Estudiantes are the champions of the 50th Edition of the Copa Santander Libertadores after a come from behind win over Cruzeiro in front of a stunned Minerão last night. It is a fourth title for the team from La Plata.



Cruzeiro had one hand on the trophy after Henrique fired them ahead in the 52nd minute with a 25 yarder that took a deflection but 5 minutes later Cruzeiro keeper Fabio, a first leg hero, failed to cut out a cross and Gaston Fernández equalised for Estudiantes. Mauro Boselli then broke Cruzeiro hearts by heading in a corner from Veron 17 minutes from time to end up as the leading scorer in the tournament.

Cruzeiro were left to rue the missed chances by Wellington and Kléber in La Plata the week whilst Seba Verón emulated his father Juan Ramon by winning the Libertadores with Estudiantes. It's the second year in succession a Brazilian team has failed to capture the trophy at home in the second leg after Fluminense's loss to LDU Quito on penalties last year. Estudiantes now qualify for the FIFA World Club Championship in Abu Dhabi in December alongside FC Barcelona, Auckland City, Atlante and host club Ahli Dubai.

Campeonato Brasileiro Gossip

Fluminense have disposed of the services of World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after their 1-0 defeat to Santo André on Sunday at the Engenhão. It was Parreira's third spell with Fluminense and he leaves the club 18th in Série A having won only 8 of 24 matches in charge since taking over earlier in the year. Assistant coach Vinicius Eutropio takes temporary charge starting with the trip to Internacional on Wednesday night. Santos have also parted company with Vagner Mancini after Sunday's 6-2 humping at Vitória and 5 defeats in a row was too much for the Náutico board as they showed Marcio Bittencourt the door.

Other changes to take place this season have seen Marcelo Rospide replaced at Grêmio by the former national trainer of Peru, Paulo Autuori. Emerson Leao took over for Nelsinho Baptitsta at Sport Recife. Ricardo Gomes got the job at champions São Paulo after the sacking of Ramalho and after the transfer listing of Keirrison saw Wanderley Luxemburgo depart Palmeiras. The Big Green are currently being looked after by Jorghino.

Meawhile former Portsmouth player and Internacional star Andres D'Alessandro has been banned for 60 days by the Superior Tribunal of Sports Justice for his part in the fracas during the second leg of the Copa do Brasil final. D'Alessandro received the minimum punishment for an attempted aggression on Corinthians captain William during the game in Porto Alegre. The ban, which has been appealed by Internacional, will see D'Alessandro banned until September 12. Television footage of the match shows D'Alessandro, who had just been sent off, punching the air and calling defender William to fight before chasing him round the pitch like a big girls blouse. The match referee's report said he sent D'Alessandro off for kicking Corinthians' Cristian while he was on the ground waiting for attention from the physio. The Argentine was handed a one-match ban for that incident. Meanwhile Corinthians midfielder Elias and Internacional full back Kléber, who were also involved in the stupidity, were also suspended for one match. Both coaches, Mano Menzes of Corinthians and Internaional's Tite, who were dismissed for entering the field of play during the incident were cleared of any wrongdoing by the tribunal.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 10

Avaí 1-2 Botafogo
Barueri 3-1 Coritiba
Palmeiras 4-1 Náutico
Cruzeiro 0-3 Atlético Mineiro
Grêmio 3-0 Corinthians
São Paulo 2-2 Flamengo
Atlético Paranaense 3-2 Internacional
Sport Recife 1-0 Goiás
Fluminense 0-1 Santo André
Vitória 6-2 Santos

Arguably the biggest game of the weekend away from the derby in Belo Horizonte was the clash between the two bottom clubs Avaí and Botafogo. It was the Rio club who came away with three valuable points after Juninho's free kick went straight through the Avaí wall before Renato doubled the lead just before half time. Marquinhos pulled a goal back for Avaí 10 minutes into the second half but 'Fogo survived some hair raising moments to pick up a valuable win. Barueri put a halt to Coritiba's rise up the table with a 3-1 victory. Val Baiano opened the scoring from the spot with 3 minutes on the clock and Fernandhino doubled the lead at the second attempt on the quarter hour. Cleiton's own goal with 8 minutes left after some poor goalkeeping summed up Coritiba's night before Carlinhos Paraiba grabbed scant consolation in the last minute for the visitors with the goal of the night. Náutico fall down the table continued as they lost their 5th straight game in a 4-1 humping at Palmeiras. If this game had taken place in Europe it would have been called off, there were puddles on the pitch and the rain continued to fall during the game. Maurico Ramos put the home side ahead before Willians Santana doubled the lead. Márcio Barros got Náutico back in the game just past the hour but Pablo Armero and Pierre wrapped things up for the Big Green.

On Sunday it was the big derby in Belo Horizonte and with Cruzeiro having one eye on Wednesday night's second leg in the Libertadores it was Atlético-MG who took the honours to climb back to the top of the table. Sensational start to the game as Cruzeiro's Ze Carlos was sent off in the first minute for an elbow. Junior and Alessandro put Atlético-MG two up at half time before Éder Luís ensured bragging rights with a third two minutes from time. Corinthians busy couple of weeks caught up with them as they were defeated 3-0 by Grêmio. All the goals coming in the first half from Alex Miniero, Jonas and Rafael Marques whilst Jean was dismissed for Corinthians. Champions São Paulo still can't find their form as they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Flamengo. The visitors were ahead through Gonzalo Fierro after a goalkeeping error. Borges equalised for São Paulo before Adriano restored Flamengo's lead from the spot. São Paulo's Renato Silva was then sent off on the stroke of half time but the 10 men salvaged a point thanks to a penalty from Jorge Wágner. Internacional surrendered top spot after defeat by Atlético-PR. The midweek trip to Quito hadn't seem to affected them when Nilmar put the Inter ahead with a deflected shot after 9 minutes. Marchino header Atlético-PR level on the half hour before putting them ahead from the spot on the hour. Wesley extended the lead for Atlético-PR before Alecsandro made an interesting last couple of minutes but the home side held on. Sport climbed out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Goiás. Fabiano Pereira with the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 17 minutes. Santo André's promising start to life in the top flight continuned with a 1-0 at Fluminense. Again the Maracanã was unavailable and a Wellington Monteiro own goal after 3 minutes was enough to hand Santo André the points at the Engenhão. And the most goals of the weekend came at Vitória as the home side humped an out of sorts Santos 6-2. The home side were four up within half an hour through a brace from Roger, William and Victor Ramos. Santos pulled it back to 4-2 through a penalty from Kléber Pereira and Paulo Lima before the icing was applied for Vitória by Leandro Domingues and Jackson.

Also there is a midweek round this week due to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. The fixtures are

Goiás x Avaí
Coritiba x Grêmio
Santo André x Atlético Paranaense
Santos x Barueri
Internacional x Fluminense
Flamengo x Palmeiras
Atlético Mineiro x São Paulo
Botafogo x Cruzeiro
Corinthians x Sport Recife
Náutico x Vitória

Copa Sudamericana First Round Draw

The draw has been made at CONMEBOL headquarters in Asunción for the first round of the 2009 Copa Nissan Sudamericana. 30 teams enter at this stage with 9 clubs from Brazil, 6 from Argentina and two from the rest of the Confederations in the region. This is also the last year that Boca Juniors and River Plate will enter the competition as invitees. As of next year they will have to qualify as of right. The holders, Interncional of Brazil have been given a bye in this round and will enter at the last 16 stage. Some qualifiers have also to be decided, these will be sorted before the competition starts on August 5th.

Atlético Mineiro (BRA) v Goiás (BRA)
La Equidad (COL) v Unión Española (CHI)
Vitória (BRA) v Coritiba (BRA)
Chile 2 v Deportivo Cali (COL)
Fluminense (BRA) v Flamengo (BRA)
Uruguay 2 v Cienciano (PER)
River Plate (ARG) v Lanús (ARG)
Zamora (VEN) v Ecuador 1
Atlético Paranaense (BRA) v Botafogo (BRA)
Ecuador 2 v Club Libertad (PAR)
Tigre (ARG) v San Lorenzo (ARG)
Alianza Atlético (PER) v Deportivo Anzoátegui (VEN)
Blooming (BOL) v Uruguay 1
Boca Juniors (ARG) v Vélez Sársfield (ARG)
Cerro Porteño (PAR) v La Paz (BOL)

As holders, Internacional qualify for the last 16 as of right

The rules of the competition mean that the Brazilian and Argentinian clubs are drawn together in the first round. This has created the stand out tie of the round as Flamengo and Fluminense have been paired together and a big crowd will be expected for both games. Boca won't have their own way with Vélez Sársfield and neither will River against Lanús.

We'll be following the competition through to it's conclusion in December.

Recopa Sudamericana 2nd Leg

LDU Quito 3-0 Internacional

LDU Quito wrapped up a comfortable victory over Internacional to pick up the Recopa Sudamericana in Quito last night. Carlos Espinola put the home side ahead with 9 minutes on the clock and Claudio Bierler doubled the advantage 6 minutes before half time.

Enruqie Vera wrapped things up 9 minutes into the second half to make it a miserable couple of weeks for Internacional. Defeated by Corinithians in the Copa do Brasil last week they came up short for the second week in a row and will not have to look to maintain their position at the top of Serie A and defend their Copa Sudamericana title.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 9 Part II

Corinthians 4-2 Fluminense

Ronaldo is back. Official. The former PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Internazionale Milano, Real Madrid and Milan striker got his first hat-trick in a long time and first goals of the Série A season to put the Copa do Brasil winners Corinthians fifth in the table.

The first was a delicate left foot finish after 24 minutes before Denthino doubled the advantage five minutes later. The second Ronaldo goal and Corinthians third was a sublime strike which confused the Fluminense keeper. The visitors didn't give up though and reduced the deficit when Dario Conca raced through the Corinthians defence and slammed the ball home. Five minutes later the gap was down to one thanks to an own goal from Diego Silva. Fluminense's star striker Fred, the former Olympique de Lyonnais player, then got himself off for bad mouthing the official, capped off by referring to the man in black as the "son of a whore". Ronaldo then completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from time with a super strike from the edge of the area.

So, that's week 9 completed and here are the fixtures for week 10.

Saturday

Avaí x Botafogo
Barueri x Coritiba
Palmeiras x Náutico

Sunday

Cruzeiro x Atlético Mineiro
Grêmio x Corinthians
São Paulo x Flamengo
Atlético Paranense x Internacional
Sport Recife x Goiás
Fluminense x Santo André
Vitória x Santos

So, you're in the middle of the Copa Libertadores Final what's the last thing you need. Aye, Atlético at home. Belo Horizonte will come to a standstill on Sunday as Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG square up at the Mineirão. It's the 421st meeting between the two sides and Atlético-MG currently lead by 169 wins to 139 with the rest of the games drawn. Not hard to pick a winner for this one, it should be an away banker as "A Raposa" will have all eyes on Wednesday night. Elsewhere the pick of the games see leaders Internacional travel to Atlético-PR while the bottom two meet when Avaí take on Botafogo.

Copa Libertadores Final 1st Leg

Estudiantes 0-0 Cruzeiro

Lots of tickertape and fireworks in La Plata, it was suddenly 1978 all over again for the first leg of the final in the 50th edition of the Copa Libertadores. It will be Cruzeiro who go back to Belo Horizonte next week as favourites after a goalless draw last night.

Seba Veron stung Fabio's hands with a super free kick in the first half and the keeper came to the rescue shortly after with another fine save. And Veron again forced Fabio into acrobatics right on half time. Leonardo Silva came close for Cruzeiro with 17 minutes to go but could Kléber's shocking miss with 11 minutes to go come back and bite the Brazilians on the arse next week. Juan Salgueiro had the last chance for the home side but he put his shot across the face of the goal.

Cruzeiro though will be thankful to goalkeeper Fabio for keeping them in the game. Just to point out the rules are different in the final. Away goals do not count and if the teams are level at the end of 90 minutes next week then there will, unlike the previous rounds, be extra time before any penalty competition.

The next leg takes place on Wednesday night in Belo Horizonte.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 9

Santo André 1-1 Barueri
Santos 1-0 Sport Recife
Flamengo 2-1 Vitória
Atlético Mineiro 1-1 Botafogo
Grêmio 4-1 Atlético Paranaense
Goiás 1-0 Cruzeiro
Coritiba 2-0 São Paulo
Náutico 0-2 Internacional
Avaí 0-3 Palmeiras

In a battle of two promoted sides the spoils where shared between Santo André and Barueri. The visitors went ahead when Val Baiano converted form the spot. Barueri were much the better side but the homeside salvaged a point 8 minutes from time when Marcel scrambled home the equaliser. Santos climbed to 8th after Paulo Lima's header claiming the only goal of the game with two minutes left against Sport. This came after Sport lost Weldon to what seemed a harsh red card on the hour. With the Maracanã unavailable Flamengo hosted Vitória at the Engenhão and took the lead in the 26th minute from Juan's sweet left foot strike. Vitória equalised on the hour through a header from Roger but Emerson's strike 7 minutes later put the "home" side ahead. Flamengo also had time to miss a penalty before Vanderson was dismissed for the visitors for use of the head before Kléberson joined him after a second yellow card in injury time.

Top versus bottom at the Mineirão as Atlético-MG hosted Botafogo and it was the home side who took the lead through a header from Éder Luís on the quarter hour. The lead though lasted 7 minutes when Juninho's marvellous 30 yard free kick found the back of the net. The result was enough to knock Atlético-MG off the top and lift Botafogo off the bottom. Grêmio got over their Libertadores exit with a comfortable win over Atlético-PR. The game was over within the first 10 minutes, Maxi López had the home side two up within 5 minutes and Gustavo Herrera added the third on 10 minutes. Rafael Moura pulled one back for Atlético-PR after 20 minutes but a second for Herrera four minutes from time wrapped things up. Cruzeiro, with one mind on the first leg of the Libertadores final in La Plata on Wednesday, fell to defeat at Goiás. Felipe's 21st minute free kick the difference between the sides. São Paulo's woes continued after they fell to defeat at Coritiba. Marcos Aurélio put the home side ahead with a great individual effort and then Ariel Nahuelpan doubled the advantage with a nice turn and strike two minutes into the second half. Internacional returned to the top of the table after a 2-0 win at Náutico. Andres D'Alessandro missed a first half penalty for Internacional before two second half strikes from Nilmar secured the points and an immediate bounce back from their Copa final defeat. Avaí fell to the bottom of the table after a 3-0 home defeat by Palmeiras. Obina put the Big Green ahead from the spot in the 27th minute and then he doubled the lead 7 minutes into the second half. Cleiton Xavier wrapped things up with a rasping drive form the edge of the box.

The final game of the round between Corinthiams and Fluminense takes place in São Paulo on Wednesday night and is scheduled to clash with the first leg of the Libertadores final.

Copa Libertadores Semi Final 2nd Leg

Nacional 1-2 Estudiantes
Estudiantes win 6-0 on points
Grêmio 2-2 Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro win 4-1 on points

Estuadiantes qualified for their first Copa Libertadores final since 1971 after seeing off the challenge of Nacional in the Estadio Centernario in Montevideo. Mauro Boselli put the visitors two ahead on aggregate when he struck in the 53rd minute to also provide a valuable away goal. Nacional equalised 14 minutes from time when Alexander Medina found the back of the net but it was all in vain as Boselli struck again in injury time to ensure victory for the team from La Plata.

In the other semi final in Porto Alegre, Cruzeiro qualified for their first final since 1997 after a 2-2 draw with Grêmio. Like the Copa do Brasil the previous night in the same city the tie was over and done with by half time after Wellington Paulista's two goals in two minutes sent the visitors into half time four goals ahead on aggregate. The fight back came from Grêmio, first Réver pulled goal back but the mountain then got bigger when Adilson was sent off. Souza levelled things up on the night with 15 minutes to go but it wasn't enough to stop Cruzeiro advancing to the final

The first leg of the final takes place in La Plata next week
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Copa Kia Do Brasil Final

Internacional 2-2 Corinthians
Corinthians win 4-2 on aggregate

Corinthians became the first Brazilian club to qualify for the 2010 Copa Santander Libertadores after being picking up the Copa Do Brasil in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night. Already 2 up from the first leg a fortnight before the visitors witheld a fightback to claim the trophy. Although to be honest, the tie was over by half time. Corinthians were already two up through Jorge Henrique's header and André Santos powerful left foot strike in front of a large travelling support

Internacional were not ready to give up though and struck back in the second half when Alecsandro struck twice within 5 second half minutes. The first came after a deflection fell kindly and he nudged it past Felipe in the Corinthians goal. The second a header from 12 yards which went in off the post. The game though finished with some pretty disgraceful scenes and a couple of dismissals. First D'Alessandro was sent off for Internacional with 15 minutes left before Elias went for Conrinthians 6 minutes from time.

It's Corinthians third victory in five final appearances and their first since 2002