5-07-07 - Brazilian State Championship Results

The champions of Brazil’s major state leagues were determined yesterday afternoon.

Paulista Championship
Santos beat São Caetano 2-0 at Morumbi Stadium to become the first team in Paulista League history to overturn a two-goal deficit in the finals. Having lost the first game by the same score, the Fish needed a win by the same margin in order to retain its title. While Santos dominated the game and took an early 1-0 lead in the 24th, the title was not won until the 81st when Moraes headed in a cross from Kléber.

Santos, who before last year had not won a Paulista League title since 1984, has now won back-to-back championships for the first time since 1968-69.

Gaúcho Championship
Grêmio routed Juventude 4-1 at Olímpico Stadium to win its second consecutive Gaúcho State Championship. Needing only a tie to lift the trophy, the Tricolor gave its adversary no chance as it totally dominated the game. The game was 4-0 midway through the second half and could have been worse if André had not defended Tuta’s penalty kick.

The title was Grêmio’s 35th overall, second only to Internacional with 37. The Tricolor is now 3-0 all-time against Juventude in Gaúcho League finals series.

Carioca Championship
Flamengo temporarily overcame the bitter taste of its 3-0 defeat to Defensor in the Libertadores Cup by capturing its 29th Carioca State title over rivals Botafogo. After playing each other equally over two games (both ended 2-2), Flamengo proved better in the shootout, winning 4-2 after Bruno saved two of the Fogão’s attempts.

Mineiro Championship
Atlético Mineiro won the Mineiro Championship for the first time in seven years after beating rivals Cruzeiro 4-2 on aggregate. The title was won in the first leg when the Roosters built what proved to be an insurmountable 4-0 lead. The Foxes looked like they might be able to overcome the odds by reducing the deficit to two by the 43rd, but their chances of completing the fightback ended when Luizão was sent off one minute before the half. With the numerical advantage, Atlético’s defense buckled down in the second half and Cruzeiro would not score again en route to a bittersweet 2-0 victory that just wasn’t enough.

Paranaense Championship
Cinderella Paranavaí claimed the Paranaense Championship after holding defending champions Paraná to a 0-0 tie in Curitiba. The club won its first ever state title on the strength of its 1-0 victory in the first leg.