Fluminense won its first Brazilian league title in 26 years on Sunday, beating Guarani 1-0 from a second-half goal by striker Emerson.
The victory in front of nearly 40,000 fans at Engenhao stadium in Rio de Janeiro gave Fluminense 71 points, two more than Cruzeiro and three more than Corinthians after 38 rounds.
Corinthians and Cruzeiro also had chances to win the title, but neither could overcome Fluminense's one-point advantage entering the final round. Ronaldo's Corinthians drew 1-1 with Goias in Goiania, while Cruzeiro beat Palmeiras 2-1 in Minas Gerais.
It is Fluminense's second Brazilian league title, after coach Carlos Alberto Parreira led the club to the championship in 1984.
The team led by Argentine playmaker Dario Conca, striker Fred and former Portugal and Chelsea playmaker Deco dominated this year's tournament.
"These fans deserved this title more than anyone else," said Conca, touted as the tournament's most valuable player. "I'm glad we were able to give them this victory and the title. It's great to see them celebrating like this."
Despite the constant support of its fans, Fluminense was without injured Deco and struggled to create significant chances against already relegated Guarani.
Former Lyon striker Fred had a couple of opportunities with headers that just missed in the first half, but it wasn't until the 63rd that Emerson broke through Guarani's tight defense.
Left back Carlinhos crossed into the area and the ball was deflected toward Emerson, whose first-time shot from the six-meter line hit the back of the net after going between the goalkeeper's legs.
"It's a goal that will stay forever in the club's history," Emerson said. "I know that in 10 years, 20 years or 40 years, people will talk about this goal and about what it meant to the club. I just hope that these fans won't have to wait so long again to celebrate another title like this."
The goal helped Fluminense coach Muricy Ramalho clinch his fourth Brazilian league title in the last five years. He had won three straight championships with Sao Paulo from 2006-08 and was runner-up with Internacional in 2005. When he coached Palmeiras last year, the team was in the title hunt until the final round.
Ramalho nearly left Fluminense in July to take over the Brazilian national team, but he was not released by the club and instead former Corinthians coach Mano Menezes accepted the job.
"There is nothing like the national team, but I just couldn't leave the club at that time," Ramalho said. "I'm glad that now I'm being able to celebrate this title. After 26 years, we knew it wasn't going to be easy."
Ramalho was hired by club directors to revamp the team after a frustrating 2009, when Fluminense barely avoided relegation.
It was a disappointing finish for Corinthians, which was celebrating its centenary but was not able to win any tournament this year. Brazil's second most popular club was never lower than third in the standings and came into the last round in second place.
Goias, also already relegated, opened the scoring at Serra Dourada stadium with a long-range shot in the 20th. The shot took advantage of a mistake by Corinthians goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who had tried to clear the ball through the middle of the field.
Corinthians, seeking its fifth league title and first since 2005, equalized with shot by striker Dentinho from inside the penalty box in the 30th.
Corinthians striker Ronaldo returned to the team after missing the previous match because of a muscle injury.
"We tried as hard as we could but unfortunately it wasn't enough this time," the veteran striker said.
Cruzeiro, seeking its second league title, needed to beat Palmeiras and hope both Fluminense and Corinthians lost points. It won with an injury-time goal by substitute striker Wallyson at the Arena do Jacare.
Tenth-place Palmeiras, playing with second-stringers after coach Luiz Felipe Scolari rested his regular starters ahead of next season, scored through a header by Rivaldo in the 54th. Midfielder Henrique equalized for Cruzeiro in the 63rd.
Led by Argentine playmaker Walter Montillo, Cruzeiro overtook Corinthians for second place but needed Guarani to equalize against Fluminense to win the title.
Gremio finished fourth after striker Jonas scored his league-leading 23rd goal in the team's 3-0 victory over Botafogo in Porto Alegre, a result that possibly gives the club a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores.
The top three teams earn a spot in Latin America's most important competition, and Gremio also will qualify if Goias fails to win the Copa Sudamericana. Goias beat Argentina's Independiente 2-0 in the first leg of the final last Wednesday.
Botafogo, led by former South Africa coach Joel Santana and containing Uruguay striker Sebastian Abreu, would have finished fourth had it beaten Gremio.
Vitoria was the final team to be relegated after a 0-0 home draw with Atletico Goianiense in Salvador. Goias, Guarani and Prudente had already been demoted. Coritiba, Bahia, Figueirense and America Mineiro will be back in the top flight next season.
Defending champion Flamengo, Brazil's most popular club and coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo, drew 0-0 at Santos to finish 14th in the 20-team standings. Six-time champion Sao Paulo routed Atletico Mineiro 4-0 in Sao Paulo to end a disappointing ninth.
