By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense and Vasco both picked up three points in the 24th round of the 2012 Brasileirão to keep their respective dreams alive. Flu continue to lead the league whilst Vasco’s victory ensured they remain in the G-4. Flamengo lost their fourth successive match.
Two goals in two second half minutes were enough to keep Fluminense at the head of the pack, with a 2-0 win away to Portuguesa. After sleepwalking their way through the first half, strikes from Jean and Wellington Nem kept the Laranjeiras club on course for the title.
The side once again needed to rely on Diego Cavalieri to keep them level as Portuguesa threatened to go in front. The goalkeeper has surprisingly been overlooked by Brazil Selecão coach Mano Menezes for the upcoming games against Argentina, on September 19th and October 3rd.
Cavalieri’s heroics meant Jean could give Flu the advantage on 73 minutes, his shot giving Dida no chance. 100 seconds later, Nem’s pace was too much for the home defense as he rounded Dida and put the game to bed.
Despite suffering a scare, Vasco overcame Palmeiras 3-1 at São Januário to put their recent misery behind them. New coach Marcelo Oliveira was at the game to watch over his new charges and he would have been pleased with what he saw.
Despite going behind early, Vasco’s heads never dropped and it took them just six minutes to equalize, through Tenorio. The players came out looking rejuvenated for the second half and five minutes after the restart Nilton gave the Cariocas the lead.
Vasco continued to take the game to their jaded opponents and excellent link-up play between Tenorio and Juninho allowed the latter to wrap up the game.
Finally, goals from Neymar and André condemned Flamengo to a 2-0 defeat away to Santos. The result leaves the Rubro-Negro just one spot above the relegation places.
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