Palmeiras Slips as Flamengo Takes Sole Lead in Brasileirão

Flamengo became the sole leader of the Brasileirão for the first time this season after a narrow victory over Remo and a costly draw for Palmeiras.

Samuel Lino scored in the 65th minute after a move created by Uruguay’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta, giving the defending champions a 1-0 win in Belém. It was Lino’s fifth goal in the last six rounds. Flamengo now has 54 points, one more than Palmeiras, while Remo remains second from bottom on 23 points, five from safety.

Palmeiras had led the league for 19 rounds but could not beat Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro. The match ended 0-0 in heavy rain. Palmeiras had more possession but struggled to create chances, while Botafogo produced the clearer opportunities.

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It was a difficult victory away from home, on a difficult field, in the heat and rain, but Flamengo was a warrior today, was strong, and as the united group we are, we managed to take the three points.

“Falta mucho todavía. Hoy hicimos un buen partido, controlamos pero no logramos hacer gol. Ahora tenemos que centrarnos en la Libertadores, porque todavía estamos en la lucha. Falta mucho. Jugamos bien, lástima que no logramos hacer gol, porque lo merecíamos”, Palmeiras captain Gustavo Gómez said. Botafogo sits 13th, six points above the relegation zone.

The title race continues alongside the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. Palmeiras and Flamengo will both travel to Ecuador this week, with Palmeiras facing LDU in Quito on Wednesday and Flamengo meeting Independiente del Valle there the following day. Santos also moved away from danger by beating Internacional 3-2 in Porto Alegre, with two goals from Gabigol and one from Christian Oliva. Internacional’s defeat put coach Paulo Pezzolano close to dismissal after the club’s president had linked his future to the result.

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There is still a long way to go. Today we played a good game, we controlled it but could not score. Now we have to focus on the Libertadores, because we are still in the fight. There is still a long way to go. We played well, it is a shame we did not score because we deserved it.