Fluminense won the Guanabara Cup on Sunday by beating Vasco da Gama 3-1 after striker Fred's double and another goal from former Chelsea playmaker Deco.
In the Sao Paulo state championship, Argentina striker Hernan Barcos scored twice as Palmeiras drew Sao Paulo 3-3 in a thriller.
The Guanabara Cup is the first stage of the Rio de Janeiro state championship and Fluminense will play for the title against the winner of the Rio Cup, which begins next week.
Fluminense hadn't won the Guanabara Cup since 1993, and it will try to win the state title for the first time since 2005.
Former Brazil striker Fred opened the scoring by converting a penalty in the 37th minute after Wellington Nem had been fouled inside the area.
Former Portugal star Deco increased the lead in the 43rd with a long-range curling cross that went into the net, and Fred found the net again in the 57th with a right-footed shot from inside the area.
Vasco scored through Eduardo Costa in the 83rd but the result snapped its eight-match winning streak to start the season.
''This team deserved this title,'' Fred said. ''We were under a lot of pressure but we came through when we needed the most.''
Fred, who played at the 2006 World Cup, praised Deco's performance.
''He makes a difference,'' he said. ''Every time we are in trouble he takes over.''
In the Sao Paulo tournament, Palmeiras played well but three times allowed Sao Paulo to equalize.
Former CSKA midfielder Daniel Carvalho scored for Palmeiras six minutes into the match in Presidente Prudente, while Barcos scored in the 38th and 72nd minutes. Sao Paulo scored through Cicero in the 30th, Willian Jose in the 55th and Fernandinho in the 76th.
Barcos has scored four goals in his four starts with Palmeiras.
Sao Paulo played without former Brazil striker Luis Fabiano because of a muscle injury, while Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras couldn't count on Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia, also because of a muscle injury.
Palmeiras announced Sunday it is close to signing Werder Bremen midfielder Wesley, and said fans will be able to help the team gather the funds needed to pay for the player by making donations of at least $60 to the club. Players entered the field on Sunday holding a banner asking fans to help raise the $12.2 million needed to pay for the Brazilian midfielder.
On Saturday, Former Brazil striker Adriano helped Corinthians retain the lead atop the 20-team standings by scoring in the 1-0 victory over Botafogo at Pacaembu stadium.
It was the first goal of the season for Adriano, who was playing his second match after being locked up in the team's hotel to lose weight.
Corinthians has four points more than Guarani and Palmeiras. Santos is fourth and Sao Paulo fifth. The top eight teams will advance to the playoff round of the Sao Paulo state championship.
In Barueri, Brazil forward Neymar scored in the 28th and 78th minutes for Santos in a match in which Ponte Preta had three players sent off in the second half. Playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso also scored a goal and defender Edu Dracena added two.
Brazil doesn't follow the European football calendar. Regional championships are played across the country in the beginning of the year and the Brazilian league starts only in May.
