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CORINTHIANS - PALMEIRAS 0-1

Despite the fact that competitions continue for national teams, the Brazilian championship goes ahead, with Botafogo always in the lead. On the last day, the team coached by Cuca beat Fluminense 2-1 in the classic derby match. Significant was the place where the match was played: the new stadium named after Joao Havelange, opened for the occasion and located in the Engenho de Dentro quarter (in fact the facility is also more simply known as “Engenho”) of Rio de Janeiro. Another game was played several kilometres to the south, at Curitiba: Paraná was forced to a draw (2-2) by Atlético Paranaense. A draw also for another team on the heels of Botafogo, São Paulo, stopped by Figueirense 0-0. Clear victory on the other hand for Goiás (3-0 against America) and second place to be shared with Paraná. Another classic match, historically one of the most important of the country, saw Palmeiras beat Corinthians, despite the fact that the “Verdão” had to play without some of its best men, engaged in the Copa America (Valdivia) and World Under 20 (David). “Derby” at Recife as well, with Sport thrashing its rivals Náutico. Cruzeiro beat Vasco 3-1 but the game was not as easy as it might appear from the score. Finally, draws between Internacional and Atlético Mineiro and between Grêmio and Santos.

Upsetting most forecasts, Brazil won the American continental championship again. A great 3-0 final victory over Argentina, which was fielding Riquelme, Messi and Tevez, and the Copa America was back again in Brazil. Dunga’s team, which started off surrounded by a lot of criticism, gradually straightened out its faults and, though suffering in the semi-final against Uruguay, only defeated after penalties, managing to find that winning balance. Argentina produced some great individual play throughout the tournament (a fantastic goal by Messi for example), but in the end failed to make much of an impression. The fact is that if Riquelme had not kicked onto the post after a pass from Veron, when the result was still 1-0, the match could have taken a different turn. The Argentines became a little nervous and very frustrated after the second goal by the Brazilians, which in fact was an own-goal by Ayala following a cross from Maicon, the Inter full back who played well throughout the tournament. The “Revancha” (the revenge), as the Argentines had presented the match after their defeat, always in the final, in the last tournament, produced the same result as the previous one. And the rivalry between these two great soccer-playing nations becomes increasingly stronger.