By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo beat Corinthians 1-0 in the 36th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro yesterday afternoon to confirm survival in the first division. Elsewhere, Fluminense lost to keep the pressure on their relegation woes, and Botafogo drew with São Paulo as they strive to qualify for the Copa Libertadores.
A first half strike from Paulinho was enough to give Flamengo all three points against Corinthians. Flamengo had a mixed team out with one eye on their Copa do Brasil final second leg against Atlético-PR on Wendesday night.
The result guaranteed Flamengo are free from relegation worries after a topsy turvy campaign in the Brasileirão. However, all will be forgotten if they manage to lift the Cup this week for the third time in their history.
At the Morumbi, Botafogo failed to make it into the G-4 after being held to a 1-1 draw by São Paulo. The result leaves the Alvinegro in fifth place, one point off fourth with two rounds remaining in the competition.
Aloísio gave the home side the lead after only three minutes with a close range volley. Elias equalized for Botafogo on 27 minutes but they could not push on in the second half and take all three points.
A victory would have lifted them up the table after Goiás were beaten 4-1 by Atlético-MG yesterday. They must now beat Coritiba and Criciúma in their final two games and hope for other results to go their way to make the top four.
Fluminense lost 1-0 away to Santos to remain perilously close to the relegation zone. A Thiago Ribeiro strike in the second half left the Tricolor level on points with Coritiba, who lie in the final relegation spot.
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