Four Star Fred Fires Flu to Win Over Grêmio; Vasco Held by Palmeiras

Hello again, reader, and welcome to a brief (and belated) round-up of the midweek games. SKP has had a rather busy few days, so do excuse me for not going to town on this one. Normal service will be resumed presently!

Brasileirão Gameweek 35 Round-up

The game of the round undoubtedly took place at the Engenhão, where Fluminense came from behind no fewer than three times to beat Grêmio 5-4. Talismanic striker Fred was in irrepressible form for the hosts, bagging four goals and making a nuisance of himself throughout. His second strike - a volleyed snapshot following Deco's sublime pass - was particularly memorable. That game seemed to sap the Campeonato Brasileiro's goal supply: no other side managed to score more than twice this round.

Fred case: Fluminense's four-goal hero celebrates with Deco.

A fine individual effort from Peruvian midfielder Luis Ramírez (who thus redeemed himself somewhat after his part in the Timão's premature Libertadores exit earlier this year) kept Corinthians in pole with a scrappy win over Ceará. Vasco, meanwhile, were pegged back by a battling Palmeiras outfit, and now find themselves two points adrift. None of Figueirense, Flamengo, Botafogo and São Paulo managed to secure maximum points, allowing Internacional (who beat Bahia thanks to Gilberto's nonchalant/lucky chested finish) to edge into Libertadores contention. Botafogo coach Caio Júnior was dismissed in the wake of O Glorioso's 2-1 defeat to América-MG - their sixth loss in seven games.

At the bottom of the table, there were crucial wins for Atléticos Paranaense and Mineiro, both of whom continue to battle against relegation. Avaí's dire goalless draw at home to Cruzeiro, however, means that their fate is all but sealed. At the Pacaembu, a stunning effort from Paulo Henrique Ganso (only his second league goal of the campaign) salvaged a point for Santos against Atlético Goianiense.

Série A results: Fluminense 5-4 Grêmio, Internacional 1-0 Bahia, Atlético-PR 1-0 São Paulo, América-MG 1-0 Botafogo, Palmeiras 1-1 Vasco, Avaí 0-0 Cruzeiro, Ceará 0-1 Corinthians, Atlético-GO 1-1 Santos, Flamengo 0-0 Figueirense, Atlético-MG 1-0 Coritiba.

(Photo credit: Gilvan de Souza.)