Sao Paulo held, Atletico secure continental spot

Atletico Mineiro secured the final automatic Copa Libertadores berth last night with a 3-2 win at Botafogo in the penultimate round of Campeonato Brasileiro matches. Bernard's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Antonio Carlos (28) and Botafogo took the lead just two minutes later through Elkeson. Atletico's hopes suffered a blow midway through the second half when Junior Cesar was sent off, but the ten men hit back through Richarlyson (83) and, after Marques Lucas was sent off five minutes later to even up the personnel, Araujo Rever snatched the winner with moments left. The win moved Atletico six points clear of fourth-placed Sao Paulo, who drew 0-0 at Ponte Preta, with one game left. Second-placed Gremio remained a point ahead of Atletico courtesy of a 4-2 triumph at Figueirense. Gremio looked to be cruising to victory when Elano (24), Ze Roberto (43) and Josef Souza (45) put them 3-0 up at half-time. However, a 65th-minute penalty from Aloisio and Jean Deretti's strike four minutes later meant the visitors needed a fourth goal from Leandro (71) to seal the points. Champions draw Newly-crowned champions Fluminense drew 1-1 at relegation-threatened Sport Recife, Fred's 28th-minute opener cancelled out on the stroke of half-time by Felipe Azevedo. Elsewhere, Bahia and Nautico Recife drew 1-1 after Gabriel Santana's 52nd-minute penalty was cancelled out by Dimba's equaliser 11 minutes from time. And Cruzeiro won 2-1 at home to Coritiba thanks to an early goal from Tinga and Leandro Guerreiro's effort on the hour mark. Everton Ribeiro scored a last-minute consolation for Coritiba. Struggling Portuguesa claimed a 2-0 win at Internacional, with Luis Ricardo opening the scoring after 36 minutes and a penalty from Marcelo Cordeiro (55) sealing the win. Atletico Goianiense were also successful on their travels, beating ten-man Palmeiras 2-1 to climb off the foot of the table. Santos Raylan (17) gave Atletico the lead and, although Patrick Vieira equalised nine minutes later, Ernandes scored what proved to be the winner after 58 minutes. A miserable day for Palmeiras was completed when they had Wellington sent off 14 minutes from time. From FIFA