Fluminense 3 – São Paulo 1: Visitors unable to get win at Maracana

On Saturday, São Paulo suffered an away defeat to Fluminense at Maracana. Fluminense were keen to hang onto their position at the top of the table and extend their winning run after winning their previous two games against Ceará away and Corinthians away, by 1-0 and 2-0 respectively while São Paulo had managed to pick up a point in their matchup with Atl. Mineiro. Fluminense and São Paulo currently occupy 2nd and 8th spots in the table, with 64 points and 51 points respectively after 36 matches.

São Paulo started strongly in the first half, when Luciano gave them the lead on the 30 minute mark. However, their celebrations were kept brief, as German Cano equalised for Fluminense just before half-time. The score at half time remained 1-1.

Fluminense rallied after this and were rewarded, when German Cano found the net once more, 56 minutes in. Fluminense then scored again and increased their advantage thanks to a hat trick effort from German Cano in the 59th minute to give a final score of 3-1.

Substitutions for Fluminense included Alexsander, Nathan, Matheus Martins, Felipe Melo and Michel Araujo for Cristiano, Nino, Yago Felipe, Ganso and German Cano, respectively. São Paulo brought on Giuliano Galoppo, Talles Costa, Marcos Guilherme, Andre Anderson and Nahuel Bustos, to replace Patryck, Igor Gomes, Reinaldo, Luciano and Jonathan Calleri.

The referee booked Nino from Fluminense. São Paulo had the worst of it though, with Rafinha seeing yellow, and Rafinha (2 yellow cards) then sent off with a red.

Fluminense next face Goiás EC while São Paulo are at home to Internacional.