Cruzeiro claim Brazil championship
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- World Cup winner Zinho scored an early goal as Cruzeiro beat Paysandu 2-1 on Sunday to clinch the Brazilian championship for the first time.
The win, in front of a 70,000 crowd in Cruzeiro's home city of Belo Horizonte, gave them an unassailable nine-point lead over second-placed Santos -- who lost 3-0 at Goias -- with two games each to play.
Zinho, who played in Brazil's 1994 World Cup team, scored with a seventh-minute free kick.
Substitute Mota toe-poked the second goal past goalkeeper Carlos Germano in the 73rd minute before Aldrovani pulled a goal back with the last kick of the game.
Cruzeiro coach Vanderley Luxemburgo added a fourth Brazilian title to those he won with Palmeiras in 1993 and 1994 and Corinthians in 1998.
Luxemburgo has resurrected his career with Cruzeiro after a turbulent two years in charge of Brazil that ended with him being sacked in 2000 and then being grilled by a congressional commission of inquiry over his financial dealings.
Zinho, 36, had been brought in to replace Cruzeiro's inspirational midfielder Alex, who missed the game through suspension.
Romario return
Cruzeiro, who have led for almost the entire championship, dominated the game against their relegation-threatened opponents.
Zinho's early strike was followed by further celebrations in the Mineirao stadium as Grafite gave Goias a halftime lead over defending champions Santos.
Santos's day was complete when Pereira put through his own goal early in the second half and the championship's leading scorer Dimba converted a penalty to take his tally to 30.
At the other end of the table, former Brazil striker Romario, 37, returned from Poland in time to play for Fluminense and score the winning goal in their 2-1 win over Sao Caetano.
Romario had surprised his team mates last Sunday by travelling to Lublin to give evidence to prosecutors probing an international scam in which he may have been implicated as a victim.
Fluminense directors were criticised for allowing Romario to make the trip with the club struggling for first division survival.
Former champions Gremio, who have spent most of the championship at the bottom of the table, won 2-0 at Criciuma with goals from George and Christian to keep alive their hopes of a last-minute escape.
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