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RIO DE JANEIRO - Sao Paulo won the Brazilian championship with two games to spare despite being held to a nervous 1-1 draw at home by Atletico Paranaense yesterday.
Sao Paulo, who have 74 points from 36 games, moved eight points clear of second-placed Internacional, whose chances ended when they lost 1-0 at Parana in a match interrupted for 13 minutes in the first half by torrential rain.
At the bottom of the table, Ponte Preta's players scuffled with police after losing 1-0 at relegated Fortaleza and missing a chance to climb out of the danger zone.
It was Sao Paulo's fourth Brazilian title, putting them level with the competition's most successful teams - Palmeiras, Corinthians and Flamengo.
The Tricolor, whose coach Muricy Ramalho led Internacional to second place last season, completed a remarkable treble as they won the South American Libertadores and World Club championship last year.
Central defender Fabao headed Sao Paulo in front in the 24th minute when he outjumped the Paranaense defence to meet Souza's inswinging free kick from the left.
Sao Paulo relaxed after halftime and paid the price when Cristian, left unmarked outside the penalty area, scored with a low 25-metre shot 11 minutes from time.
Shortly afterwards, Erandir broke clear for Paranaense but Sao Paulo goalkeeper and captain Rogerio Ceni denied him with a flying save.
The draw meant the players and the 68,000 crowd at the Morumbi stadium had to wait another 15 minutes for the end of the Internacional game before they could celebrate the title.
- REUTERS
