By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The sixteenth round of the 2013 Campeonato Brasileiro was one to forget for Carioca clubs, with the four teams earning a solitary point between them. After Flamengo’s defeat to Grêmio on Saturday, there were defeats for Fluminense and Botafogo away to São Paulo and Atlético-PR respectively, whilst Vasco earned a point against Corinthians.
Vasco came from behind to draw 1-1 with Corinthians at the Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília. The Rio side were perhaps fortunate to escape with a point as their Paulista opponents dominated the match, particularly in the first half.
Corinthians took the lead after only three minutes, Paolo Guerrero getting the final touch on Edenilson’s cross. Vasco left far too much open space and Corinthians could have been three up by the interval.
They were made to rue wasted chances when Vasco equalized on 54 minutes. Juninho’s pass found André, who calmly slipped the ball past Cássio.
São Paulo ended a run of twelve matches without a win by beating Fluminense 2-1 at the Morumbí in that city. Flu were missing Fred and without the Seleção striker, their attacking threat was virtually nonexistent.
Luís Fabiano put São Paulo ahead on 27 minutes before Reinaldo’s fierce drive doubled their lead just before half-time. Fluminense failed to react in the second half. Eduardo reduced the deficit in the 91st minute but by then, it was too late to mount a comeback.
And there was disappointment for Botafogo, who dropped to second place in the table after losing 2-0 to Atlético-PR. After an even first half, a brace from Éderson fired the hosts into the qualifying places for next year’s Copa Libertadores.
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