Souza and Ronaldo scored as Corinthians opened their Brazilian
league season with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Paranaense on
Sunday.
In a match pitting the winners of two state championships
against each other, Rio de Janeiro state champion Botafogo and Sao
Paulo state winner Santos played to a 3-3 draw.
Antonio Carlos scored twice for Botafogo and Argentine German
Herrera scored the equalizer in the final minutes on Saturday.
Neymar, Ze Eduardo and Andre scored for Santos.
Other first-round results were: Atletico 0, Gremio 0;
Palmeiras 1, Vitoria 0; Flamengo 1, Sao Paulo 1; Internacional 1,
Cruzeiro 2; Atletico 2, Vasco 1; Ceara 1, Fluminense 0; Guarani 1,
Goias 0; Avai 6, Gremio Prudente 1.
In the Flamengo vs. Sao Paulo match, both teams left out some
of their top players to prepare for this week's Copa Libertadores
first-leg quarterfinal. Adriano was one of the key players rested
by Flamengo.
Both clubs play in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday. Sao
Paulo travels to Cruzeiro, and Flamengo hosts Chilean club
Universidad de Chile.
Washington scored for Sao Paulo and Denis Marques got
Flamengo's goal.
In another match between teams still in Copa Libertadores
contention, Cruzerio edged Internacional of Porto Alegre 2-1.
Kleber scored both goals for Cruzeiro and Taison got Inter's lone
goal.
Inter plays host to defending champion Estudiantes on
Thursday in the Copa Libertadores.
