Sao Paulo and Corinthians spurned the chance to go clear at the top of the Brazilian Campeonato after drawing 0-0 in midweek. Sao Paulo had the best chances of the match but a combination of wayward finishing and good goalkeeping from Julio Cesar prevented them finding the net.
Vasco da Gama moved back to the summit on Thursday evening despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Atletico Goianiense. Anselmo found the net for the visitors in the 23rd minute, only for Diego Souza to respond for Vasco before half-time. Vasco are now a single point above Sao Paulo and two points above both Corinthians and Botafogo, the latter of whom got their first win in three matches in midweek at Gremio. Washington Abreu scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute to give Botafogo all three points.
Fred scored twice to help Fluminense bounce back from their surprise defeat to Bahia with a 3-1 win over lowly Avai. The Brazilian striker struck either side of a goal from William in the first-half to give Flu a 2-1 lead at the interval. Alejandro Martinuccio then wrapped up the points for Fluminense when he found the back of the net in the 78th minute.
Santos moved into the top half of the table after winning 2-1 at America Mineiro - their fourth straight victory. The visitors took the lead in the second-half when Borges headed in his 18th goal of the season, only for America to equalise when Kempes tapped in from close-range. Both sides pushed for the decisive second goal and it came 10 minutes from time when Neymar's corner found it's way through to Edu Dracena to score.
Internacional stretched their unbeaten run to six matches as they drew 1-1 with Figueirense, who have now tied their last four encounters. Figueirense opened the scoring before half-time when Ygor struck from outside the area but Jo ensured the points were shared with a goal the other side of the interval.
Bahia followed up their win over Fluminense with a 1-0 triumph against Atletico Paranaense thanks to a late strike from Junior. Cruzeiro's disappointing season continued as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Coritiba - their sixth match without a win. Marcos Aurelio and Bill gave the newly promoted side a two-goal cushion and Cruzeiro could only grab a consolation through Bobo. Flamengo are another side on a dismal run of form and they were unable to halt it on Wednesday as they drew 1-1 at Atletico Mineiro. Daniel Carvalho fired Atletico into the lead and Flamengo only managed a single response thanks to Ronaldinho, with their efforts hampered late on by the dismissal of Serginho. Meanwhile, Palmeiras ended a five-match winless run with a 1-0 win at Ceara, courtesy of an own goal by Thiago Matias.
