Gremio's title hopes slip away

Published Oct. 28, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Gremio's slim hopes of overhauling Brazilian Campeonato leaders Fluminense suffered a setback on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Bahia.

The third-placed visitors clinched a point in the 42nd minute when Kleber equalised moments after Gabriel had put the 16th-spotted hosts ahead, but the result left Gremio 12 points off the pace with five games remaining.

Lucas Moura hit a hat-trick as fourth-placed Sao Paulo moved within two points of Gremio thanks to a 4-2 triumph at 17th-spotted Sport Recife.

The home team opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Gilberto and finished it 10 minutes from time courtesy of a Hugo penalty, but in between Lucas claimed his treble and Bruno Cortes also got his name on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Fifth-placed Internacional fought from a goal down to edge third-bottom Palmeiras 2-1, goals from Fred and Rafael Moura either side of the interval overturning Luan's opener.

Vasco da Gama slipped to seventh spot on the back of their 1-0 loss at Corinthians, Jose Guerrero bagging the game's only goal just before the hour for the eighth-placed hosts.

Botafogo moved above Vasco thanks to a 4-0 rout of bottom club Atletico Goianiense. Clarence Seedorf, Matheus Doria, Gabriel and Bruno Mendes were the men on target, with the basement boys' woes compounded by the 84th-minute dismissal of Diego Giaretta.

Finally, Portuguesa drew 0-0 at second-bottom Figueirense.