Palmeiras continue march to glory

Palmeiras moved to within a point of their first Brazilian Serie A title since 1994 with a 1-0 victory over Botafogo.

Midfielder Dudu struck just after the hour at Allianz Parque to hand Palmeiras their 22nd victory of the campaign on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

A draw in their home clash against Chapecoense next Sunday will be enough to secure the Sao Paulo a record breaking ninth league title.

Their only remaining challenger for this season's title is Santos, who could only manage a 2-2 away draw with Cruzeiro, a result that left them six points behind Palmeiras with two rounds remaining.

Santos and Palmeiras share the honor as the most successful clubs in Brazil's top flight with eight titles apiece.

Botafogo have now lost two matches in a row as they cling to sixth place, which will be allocated Brazil's last Copa Libertadores spot.

In Sunday's other decisive fixture, Flamengo saw their title hopes evaporate when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Coritiba at the Maracana stadium.

The result left the Rio de Janeiro club third, seven points behind Palmeiras.

--IANS

ajb/vt