Golden touch (Globoesporte)

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Adriano scored what could be the goal that ultimately wins Corinthians the title this year. The player has had all kinds of injury and personal problems this year and has hardly played any football. He made his return to the team more than a month ago. But since then Tite has been holding him back, using him sparingly and playing him only when he feels its right. It’s worked perfectly.

Yesterday, he rolled off the bench into the action, popped up with an 88^th minute winner, hopped over the advertising boards and ripped off his shirt for the world to see his flabby belly. Flabby belly but golden touch. Quality.

Vasco did their bit to stay in the hunt by beating Avaí­ 2-0. Fluminense thrashed Libertadores hopefuls Figueirense 4-0 thanks to three goals from Fred (that’s seven in four days!). He’s gone and done two better than before. What a player! That means Fluminense are definitely in next year’s Copa Libertadores.

São Paulo and Luis Fabiano ended América MG’s valiant late charge to escape the relegation zone. They won 3-1 with two goals from Luis Fabiano boosting their Libertadores qualification hopes.

Cruzeiro – who were among many people’s favourites for the title at the start of the season – are incredibly fighting a ferocious battle to avoid relegation. They couldn’t beat Atlético PR at home and with Ceará winning at Grêmio, they are just one point above the drop zone with two games to play. Very tight at the bottom. Four teams get relegated in Brazil remember.

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