Vasco thrashes Cruzeiro away from home and maintains the lead.
With a spectacular performance from Diego Souza, who scored all three goals for the São Januário team this Sunday afternoon, the club remains in first place despite Corinthians' victory over Bahia.
247 – Vasco confirmed their good form this Sunday and maintained their lead in the championship with a resounding victory over Cruzeiro in Sete Lagoas, with a show by Diego Souza. All three goals of the afternoon were scored by the number 10 of the Cruz-Maltino club, who are now followed more closely by Corinthians. With their 1-0 victory over Bahia at Pacaembu, the Parque São Jorge club climbed the table, overtaking São Paulo and Botafogo, who drew in a thrilling match at Engenhão.
With 49 points, Vasco secures first place even if Botafogo wins its postponed game against Santos, as it has opened up a four-point lead over the current fourth-placed team. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, is suffering a crisis and, stuck on 29 points, is dangerously close to the relegation zone. In the next round, Cruzeiro faces Grêmio away from home, while Vasco plays Corinthians at São Januário to try to avenge its defeat in the first round, when it lost the game to Timão 2-1 at Pacaembu.
At Pacaembu Stadium, Corinthians finally managed to breathe easier after three games without a win, securing a narrow victory against Bahia with a goal from Emerson in the 13th minute of the second half. The 24 paying spectators didn't see much on the pitch besides Emerson's goal, but at least the Parque São Jorge team left the field with three points that lifted them to second place in the championship. Corinthians now has 47 points.
Corinthians' rise in the standings is directly linked to the draw between Botafogo and São Paulo at Engenhão. After a first half of complete Botafogo dominance, in which Loco Abreu scored two goals, São Paulo made a comeback in the second half and tied the game thanks to goals from Henrique in the 20th minute and Rivaldo in the 46th. Rivaldo even had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper in the 48th minute, but tried to chip Renan and sent the ball wide.
With the draw, Botafogo dropped to fourth place with 45 points, and São Paulo fell to third place with 46 points.