By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Cointributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo won just their second game in twelve to calm the threat of relegation from the 2012 Brasileirão. The Rubro-Negro beat high-flying São Paulo 1-0 at the Engenhão Stadium, easing the pressure on coach Dorival Junior in the process.
Gonzáles glanced the game’s only goal twenty minutes from time, but not before Luís Fabiano had missed a penalty for the visitors. It was his third failure from the spot this year and cost his side dear on the afternoon.
Meanwhile, in the battle at the top, Atlético-MG made ground on Fluminense after defeating the Laranjeiras club 3-2 in Minas Gerais. The game swung back and forth, first Flu taking the lead through Wellington Nem before a Jô double swung the game in the home side’s favor.
Fluminense thought they had done enough when Fred equalized with just five minutes left on the clock, but Tricolor hearts were broken at the death when Leo Silva headed the winner with the game’s final touch. The result means Flu are now on,y six points clear of Atlético, with six rounds remaining.
On Thursday of last week in round 31, Botafogo beat Vasco 3-2, bringing them up to 7th place, while dropping Vasco out of 4th place for the first time in recent rounds. Vasco is now five points ahead of 6th ranked Internacional.
The 32nd round will be completed on Wednesday, when Vasco host Internacinal at 8:30 PM with home-pitch São Januário Stadium advantage. Botafogo face the lowly 19th ranked Figueirense on the road.
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