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.

Click to continue reading...

While Sir Alex once again displayed his ref insulting Tourrettes after his side's loss to Chelsea, what Palmeiras president Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo had to say about referee Carlos Eugenio Simon after their 1-0 loss to Fluminense makes the sum total of Fergie's ref rants look downright complimentary by comparison.

Click to continue reading...

Until the 32nd started, things looked dull for Palmeiras. There was enormous pressure and the fear that the team had just lost the Brasileiro. But after the last mid-week round of Brasileirao, things changed again. Palmeiras won and all direct rivals, but one, lost precious points. With that, the hopes of Palmeiras fans have been renewed.

Click to continue reading...

After the 29th round of Brasileiro, it seems no one wants to take the title home. Like in the last round, when only one club on the top won, the leaders collectively failed again. Palmeiras, Sao Paulo and Atletico-MG lost. Inter and Goias tied at home. And, in this way, Flamengo, the 6th side on the table, was the first team on the top to win.

Click to continue reading...

A dejeted looking Souza and Marcos as Náutico thrash the leaders 3-0

Despite a shock 3-0 loss at strugglers Náutico, Palmeiras remain five points clear at the top of the Brasileiro with nine games to go. As usual when the Palestra Itália outfit slip up, none of their main rivals were able to take advantage as no one in the top five managed to win.

Click to continue reading...

The 24th round of Campeonato Brasileiro was all Sao Paulo's.

Sao Paulo received the surprisingly good side of Avai at Morumbi. In the first-half, Avai made things difficult for Sao Paulo, as the home team offered loose defensive action in the midfield. In the second-half, however, Sao Paulo decided to suffocate the visitors.

Click to continue reading...

In the 23rd round of the Brasileirao, the race for the title came down to what is promising to be a tight one. Palmeiras (44 points), Inter (43) and Sao Paulo (40) won their matches and offered no chance for each other to relax.

On the match that marked the return of Vagner Love, Palmeiras received Barueri at home.

Click to continue reading...

Okay I know its been a long time since we gave you a Brasileirao Wrap, but we'll be on top of it from now till the end of the season.
On Sunday, São Paulo's 9-game unbeaten streak and 7-game winning streak came to an end dramatically. Paulo Baier's header in the 86th minute beat a late charging Rogerio Ceni to give Furacão the win. Click to continue reading...

It was a green weekend. The 21st round of Campeonato Brasileiro smiled to Palmeiras and Goias.

Palmeiras played at home a decisive match against Inter, a contender for the title. Despite the beautiful goal by Juliano for the visitors, Palmeiras had a brilliant participation of Diego Souza.

Click to continue reading...

On the 14th round, Palmeiras reached the top of Campeonato Brasileiro (losing on the goal difference for Atletico-MG) by thrashing its main rival Corinthians with a 3-0. Those who expected to see Ronaldo saw Obina. Obina, yes the one who Flamengo fans used to celebrate as "better than Eto'o", pulled off a hat-trick.

Click to continue reading...

Obina strikes three times against Corinthians

Corinthians rotund front man, Ronaldo, may have broken a bone in his hand after an awkward fall in Sunday's loss to archrivals Palmeiras.

The former Brazil player was carted off after just 19 minutes in the game in the city of Presidente Prudente.

Click to continue reading...

The 9th round of Campeonato Brasileiro was all about surviving a bad hang over. And most did it.

After being eliminated at home from the semis of Copa Libertadores, Gremio honored its nickname of "immortal". With 11 minutes, the two forwards from Argentina had scored 3 goals - Maxi Lopes (2) and Herrera (1).

Click to continue reading...

Reuters:
Brazil striker Nilmar scored twice as Internacional bounced back from their midweek defeat in the Copa Brasil to beat Náutico 2-0 away and go top of the Brazilian championship on Sunday.
Inter, beaten by Corinthians in the Copa Brasil final, are two points ahead of Atlético Mineiro, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Botafogo. Click to continue reading...

For many years now, the level of refereeing has been terrible in Brazil. Last weekend was another one to not be forgotten.

1) Look at the second goal of Santo Andre. Marcel is clearly offside. The linesman has been suspended:

2) Obina was called offside in the most beautiful goal of his career.

Click to continue reading...

Is it too late for the report on the 7th round of Brasileirão? Well, better later than never was the motto of the weekend in the tournament. 5 out of 10 matches were decided in the final moments.

Newcomer Santo Andre kept the good campaign with a 2-1 victory over Sport. The winning goal was scored by defender Marcel with 3 minutes into the second-half's stoppage time.

Click to continue reading...

Palmeiras and Gremio played the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarter finals.

The first in Montevideo, visiting Nacional. The second receiving Caracas in Porto Alegre.

The two controlled the first-half. The victory seemed close for the two.

One, Palmeira, had no time.

Click to continue reading...

1)... when a side full of great names who can't play well collectively faces another side which for 3 matches in a row started losing but managed to get two draws and one victory?
Answer: Fluminense scoring first through Fred (something that did not happen since April 30th) but conceiving the draw to Nautico in the second half's stoppage time.

Click to continue reading...

Adriano leads Flamengo to victory

Flamengo strolled past strugglers Atlético Paranaense thanks in part to a goal from their returning hero Adriano. The emperor was gifted a free header by a sloppy Atlético defence and Fla went on to win the game 2-1. See the highlights here

Internacional maintained their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 home win against new boys Avaí.

Click to continue reading...

Placar magazine, the most traditional and popular soccer magazine in Brazil, put together in its June issue a ranking with the biggest salaries in Brazilian football. The leader? Ronaldo, obviously. And as a reminder: Nowadays, US$1 = R$2.05.

1°- Ronaldo* (Corinthians) = R$ 1.133.000
2°- Adriano** (Flamengo) = R$ 362.

Click to continue reading...

Inter can take a significant step towards achieving Copa Libertadores qualification if they can progress to the Copa do Brasil semi final tonight (21:50 local time).
After a resilient defensive performance saw the Colorado come away with a goalless draw from Maracanã last week, Inter will be fully aware that a score draw at the Beira-Rio could sent Flamengo through on away goals. Click to continue reading...

Inter are expecting 50,000 at the Beira-Rio for tomorrow's Copa do Brasil quarter final with club legend Fernandão expecting to be in attendance to watch his former club.
It will be the first time Fernandão who now plays for Al-Gharafa in Qatar, will watch Inter at the Beira-Rio since leaving the club almost a year ago. Click to continue reading...

Internacional came away from the Maracanã last night with a goalless draw in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter final against Flamengo.
It was a stubborn defensive performance by Inter as Flamengo controlled the game for long periods. Recent absentee Sandro returned in midfield after recovering from injury and was prominent for the Colorado along with Guiñazu and goalkeeper Lauro. Click to continue reading...

Inter's quest for silverware continues tonight as attentions turn to the Copa do Brasil with Tite's side competing with Flamengo for a place in the semi-finals at the famous Maracanã (21:50 local time).
Having already eliminated União Rondonópolis, Guarani and Náutico, Inter will be looking a positive result tonight to take back to the Beira-Rio for next week's second leg. Click to continue reading...

I still can't get my head around this. Booing your team is one thing, but attacking them with home-made explosives is something else. Certain Flamengo "fans" were so unhappy with the team's performance recently that they took a home-made bomb to a training session last week and threw it at the players. Click to continue reading...