Almost assured of the title before the final day of the Brazilian championship, Wednesday, Palmeiras was crowned champion for the 12th time thanks to its draw at Cruzeiro (1-1). The very young Endrick (17 years old), who will join Real Madrid in June, scored the goal for “Verdao”.
The fight was much fiercer to avoid 17th place, synonymous with relegation, between Bahia, Vasco da Gama and Santos. Dimitri Payet’s Vasco was in the cart until 10 minutes from time and Serginho’s headed goal, which allowed the Rio-based team to beat Bragantino (2-1) and secure their maintenance.
The former Marseille attacking midfielder (36 years old) will still play in the elite next season, unlike Santos. The former club of Pelé and Neymar was however 15th before this last round of the championship. But its home defeat against Fortaleza (2-1), combined with the success of Vasco and Bahia, sent it to the second division for the first time in its history.
Bad times for John Textor
Finally, a quick word for Botafogo, the club of John Textor, also owner of Olympique Lyonnais (red lantern of Ligue 1), which finished fifth after its 3-1 loss against the International in Porto Alegre. A huge disappointment for this other team from Rio, which had a 13-point lead after the first legs and will have to go through a preliminary phase to compete in the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.