By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Vasco, Flamengo and Fluminense all earned three points in the fifteenth round of the 2012 Brasileirão played this midweek. Botafogo lost 2-1 to Palmeiras, their fifth defeat at the Engenhão Stadium this term.
Juninho Pernambucano had a perfect return to his native Recife as Vasco beat Sport 2-0 on Wednesday night. The 37-year-old scored a trademark free-kick as the Cruz-Maltino temporarily took top spot in the table.
Atlético-MG’s 1-0 win over Coritiba last night meant the Galo went back to the summit.
In Floríanopolis, Flamengo ended a run of four games without a win by beating bottom side Figueriense 2-0.
New coach Dorival Junior is shaping the team in his own style and a more disciplined defensive display, coupled with Vagner Love’s first goals in eight matches, saw the Rubro-Negro walk away with the win.
After victories for Vasco and Atlético, it was doubly important for Fluminense to keep on their coat-tails, and the Tricolor did just that with a 2-1 win over São Paulo.
Leandro Euzebio gave Flu the lead before the Paulistas levelled, but Fred’s looping header early in the second period sealed three points for the Laranjeiras outfit.
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