November 19th 1969. 40 years ago, Pele scored his goal number 1000. No matter what the youngest say, there will be no better player to step on earth.

As you're probably aware, Brazilian football (CBF and CONMEBOL for that matter) have no respect for the international break. So two matches took place in Brazil on Wednesday night one for Copa Sudamericana and one for the Brasileiro. And it was enough for the biggest collective nervous breakdown, I've ever seen.

No more. Done. Finito. Acabou. The fight for the 32 golden spots to play the most exciting football (and sports) tournament on the planet has ended. Some big ones almost did not manage. And some return after 24 years.

Today was the day for the last 6 squads to qualify. The brave (or lucky?

Nilmar again and an own goal.

After the 35th round of Brasileirao, one thing is clear: the champion will be red and black. The only thing that remains unclear is if it will also carry the white of Sao Paulo, or it will have just the two colors of Flamengo.

The two sides took advantage of Palmeiras' tie against Sport and look ready for the title.

Cameroon and Nigeria have guaranteed a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa today. Cameroon beat Morroco 2-0 (second goal by Eto'o) and Nigeria beat Kenya 3 2.

So far 26 countries are going to South Africa next June: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Mexico, USA, Honduras, Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, Denmark, Serbia, Italy, Slovakia, Switzerland, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Australian, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, New Zealand and South Africa.

Brazil and England was going to be a reserve festival, as injuries took away many players from the match. So if in theory this is a match with no favorites, in reality, Brazil got that title as it had less players in the ER. Brazil had the responsibility to play better and add another match to the unbeaten streak against England that is 19 years-old.

Going against what this writer wanted, New Zealand became the 24th nation with a ticket for South Africa by beating Bahrain at home. The only goal of the match was scored by Rory Fallon in the final moments of the first-half. The first-leg of this playoff ended 0-0, which gave Bahrain the chance of qualifying with a draw different from the nil one.

After granting a spot in next year's first division of Brazilian football, Vasco da Gama finished the combo and took home the dubious title of champion of the second division. Wearing a commemorative jersey (not very tasteful, if I may say), the club cameback to beat America-RN at a packed Maracana.

... players and firm members of the same club get in a fist fight. This was the last training session before Santo Andre plays its life in the Brasileirao.

Nice commercial by Brahma made for the friendly tomorrow against England. I even cried a little

I am loving this Adidas new World Cup uniform release craziness. It's lovely to see that they are making all uniforms very unique. Trend watch: uniforms are getting more tight... nice!!! Here are Spain, South Africa and Russia's new kits:

Spain new kit: nice, nice.

Russia new kit: awesome.

Recently, Palmeiras and Sport played some thrilling and decisive matches, with one side side usually celebrating at the end. Sport eliminated Palmeiras from Copa do Brasil. Palmeiras eliminated Sport from Libertadores and before that they battled in the group stage.

Last night in Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Sport tied in 2 goals for the 35th round of Brasileirao.

After the victory in Paraguay against Cerro Porteno, Fluminense players had to wait to leave the pitch. Angry with the result, the local fans started throwing rocks in the pitch.

What seemed to be a terrible year for Fluminense may end up as a good one, after all (obviously, staying in the first division is fundamental to that). In the first-leg of the semis, Flu played as it is supposed to: as a big and traditional club. It played the first-half better than Cerro Porteno, but did not score.