Striker Liedson scored a hat trick as Corinthians ended Sao Paulo's perfect start to the Brazilian season in a 5-0 rout on Sunday.
Argentine midfielder Dario Conca gave defending champion Fluminense a 1-0 win over Avai, while on Saturday Ronaldinho scored in Flamengo's 4-1 win over Atletico Mineiro and Argentine playmaker Walter Montillo scored twice to lead Cruzeiro to a 2-1 win over Coritiba.
Sao Paulo started the season with five straight wins but struggled after midfielder Carlinhos Paraiba was sent off in the 40th minute Sunday after collecting his second yellow card.
Playmaker Danilo opened the scoring for Corinthians in the 47th minute at the Pacaembu stadium, getting past two defenders inside the area before finding the net. Former Portugal and Sporting striker Liedson extended the lead with close-range goals in the 54th, 61st and 80th minutes, and midfielder Jorge Henrique finished off the scoring with a long-range shot in the 84th.
Sao Paulo went into the match without several regular starters, including star playmaker Lucas, who is with Brazil's national team preparing for the upcoming Copa America in Argentina.
The six-time national champion remains league leader despite the loss, two points in front of Corinthians and four in front of third-place Palmeiras, which fell 2-0 to Ceara on Sunday. Corinthians has a game in hand.
In Florianopolis, Conca scored a 36th-minute winner and Fluminense held on for the victory - its first after two straight losses - despite striker Rafael Moura being red carded just two minutes after the goal for elbowing an opponent in a ball dispute.
On Saturday, six-time champion Flamengo put an end to a four-match winless streak by defeating Atletico Mineiro at the Engenhao Stadium. Brazil's most popular club had won its opening match but then drew all matches until Saturday's.
Ronaldinho scored his second Brazilian league goal with a neat strike into the upper right upper corner, equalizing the match in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronaldinho had been heavily criticized by fans for his recent poor performances, but he was applauded after scoring his goal and going near the grandstands to celebrate.
Former Fenerbahce striker Deivid scored twice for Flamengo, while playmaker Thiago Neves added the other goal.
''We all know how talented Ronaldinho is and he knew that he had to improve,'' Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said.
Also Saturday, Montillo scored two second-half goals to help Cruzeiro win its first league match after a disappointing start that included two losses and three draws. The 2-1 victory over Coritiba in Sete Lagoas marked the debut of former South Africa coach Joel Santana, who replaced Stival Cuca last week.
In Curitiba, recently promoted Bahia won its second in a row by beating host Atletico Paranaense 2-0. The result gave Atletico Paranaense its fifth loss in six matches and prompted coach Adilson Batista to resign.
In other results Sunday, Botafogo beat Gremio 2-1 at the Engenhao, while Vasco da Gama edged Atletico Goianiense 1-0 in Goiania and Internacional routed Figueirense 4-1 in Porto Alegre.
Santos had its match against America postponed because it played the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday, when it won its third title in the most important Latin American competition.
