By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With a Fluminense hangover at the Engenhão Stadium, the Tricolor lost 2-0 to Cruzeiro. One week after securing the title, the players’ celebrations took their toll on a carnival-like afternoon as the CBF handed over the trophy in front of a full house.
Vasco da Gama put a halt to a run of seven games without a win with a 2-1 victory away to Coritiba, in the 36th round of the 2012 Brasileirão. Prior to picking up three points, the Carioca club had been on a dreadful run of form, having picked up just a solitary point in their last seven games.
Things looked to be going much the same way on this occasion after falling behind again. Yet the players put in a spirited comeback, and goals from Romário and Nílton gave the club a much needed boost before the season’s finale.
It proved to be a poor round for other Rio clubs as none of the other three managed to record a victory. A late Vagner Love equalizer rescued a point for Flamengo at home to Palmeiras in a 1-1 draw.
Botafogo’s Libertadores dream remains shelved for at least another year after a dreadful performance saw them lose 2-0 away to Sport Recife. Goals from Gilberto and Henrque kept the Pernambuco club in the fight to avoid relegation.
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