Palmeiras shows strength

Palmeiras may want the World Cup to be held more often. With a 4-2 win over Parana and a strong performance this Saturday in Sao Paulo, the team reached its fourth straight win in as many games since the World Cup break in the Brazilian Serie A. The result lifted the team away from the relegation zone, and confirmed its great form of late. Parana has not been playing so badly itself lately, and had won its last six games. With two hot teams, what fans in the stands witnessed was a wonderful match, especially in a five-goal second half.

Meanwhile, Sao Caetano and Ponte Preta only managed a cold, slow 1-1 tie in front of just over 1,500 people. Less than half the crowd in Caxias do Sul, where Juventude overcame the 2-degree Celsius temperature to beat Figueirense 1-0.