RIO DE JANEIRO: Ronaldinho scored his first goal for Flamengo as Corinthians, in mourning over the death of a young colleague and on the receiving end of violent protests over a shock Libertadores Cup exit, appeased angry fans with a 1-0 win over Palmeiras on Sunday.
Brazilian champions Fluminense squandered a 2-1 lead and lost 3-2 to Botafogo in other matches in Brazil’s state championships.
Corinthians’ victory in the Sao Paulo derby came after three days of violent protests following Wednesday’s upset by Colombia’s Deportes Tolima in the preliminary round of South America’s elite club competition.
Ronaldinho opened the scoring when he converted a penalty in Flamengo’s 3-2 win over Boavista.
Teenager William Morais was killed in the early hours of Sunday trying to resist a mugger in the city of Belo Horizonte where he was on loan to America-MG.
Right back Alessandro scored the goal that may begin to heal Corinthians’ wounds seven minutes from the end of the Paulista state championship match.
Goalkeeper Julio Sergio kept the result safe with some brilliant saves including a remarkable last-minute stop at point blank range from Kleber.
“Because of what we were going through and the importance of a victory, this was without doubt the best match of my career,” said the 26-year-old keeper.
Corinthians were without rested former Brazil players Ronaldo, the team’s captain, and Roberto Carlos whom fans hold mainly responsible for the Libertadores Cup debacle.
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