Palmeiras have taken a giant step towards the title, while Dimitri Payet’s Vasco da Gama are not yet guaranteed to remain in the elite. These are the two main lessons from the penultimate day of the Brazilian Championship, played on the night of Sunday to Monday. Winner of Fluminense (1-0) thanks to a goal from Breno Lopes, served on a plate by Endrick on a bright action from the future of Madrid from the right lane, Palmeiras is in a strong position: in view of the 38th and final day which will take place on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, the Sao Paulo club (69 points) is three units ahead of Atlético Mineiro and Flamengo, with a much better goal difference.
It will therefore be enough for him to achieve a draw or even, in the event of a setback, to avoid a very heavy defeat to obtain the coronation in the Brasileirao, the twelfth in its history and the second in a row. And, of course, that at the same time neither Flamengo, traveling to Sao Paulo FC, nor Atlético Mineiro expected by Goias, achieves major successes.
Luis Suarez smashes Dimitri Payet’s Vasco
For Dimitri Payet and Vasco da Gama, the situation remains tense. Beaten by Gremio (1-0) on a goal from Luis Suarez (the 15th in the Championship for the Uruguayan), the Cariocas are not out of the woods. Indeed, they are still only one point ahead of the first relegated side, Rogério Ceni’s Bahia, who missed a big opportunity to get their heads above water by losing (3-2) on the field of America Mineiro, red lantern.
Note that Payet only played the last half hour of play in Porto Alegre, replacing Paulinho in the 61st minute. The French striker made a nice move in injury time but his back pass for Praxedes’ strike was narrowly deflected by Caique, the Gremio goalkeeper.
Santos also in danger
The last day therefore retains all its suspense for the fourth and last relegated place: Vasco and Payet will have their destiny in hand if they beat at home, on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, a Bragantino still in the running for the playoffs of Copa Libertadores, knowing that Bahia hosts Atlético Mineiro who have a very slim chance of being champion. Opposed to Fortaleza, the prestigious Santos will not have to linger along the way: Pelé’s former club is only one point ahead of Vasco and two over Bahia.
