Ceni breaks record

Just four days after failing in the Libertadores final and losing the title to Internacional, goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni more than redeemed himself with the Sao Paulo fans. With a penalty kick save and two goals of his own, Ceni helped his team to a 2-2 draw that kept it at the top of the standings in the Brazilian Serie A. At the same time, he broke the record for most goals ever scored by a goalkeeper, passing former Paraguayan international Jose Luis Chilavert. Ceni now has 64 career goals, two more than Chilavert.

Playing in Belo Horizonte against Cruzeiro, Rogerio hopelessly saw his team fall behind 2-0 only 35 minutes into the match. Three minutes later Cruzeiro had a great chance to seal the fate of the game with a penalty kick in its favour. Ceni, however, had other plans for the afternoon. With a well timed jump to his right hand side, the keeper saved the kick and his team. Shortly after, he'd score a goal of his own, on a free kick from outside Cruzeiro's penalty box. He'd still make a few crucial saves before and after scoring his second of the afternoon, on a penalty kick at the 60th minute. Undoubtedly, a remarkable display by one of the greatest goalkeepers in Sao Paulo's history.

The team also benefitted from a loss at home by second place Santos, surprised 2-0 at the Vila Belmiro by Vasco. With a tight defensive system, the visitors took advantage of the few chances they had during the match to end a 21-game unbeaten streak at home by Santos - now three points behind the leaders, with 31 points. To make matters worse for the locals, they fell to third place on goal differential, after Parana managed a goal four minutes into injury time of the second half to beat Sao Caetano at home, 1-0.

Libertadores champions Internacional showed it might not be wise to bet against them having the strength to fight for the National title as well this year. Still recovering after the celebrations for the historical title, the team was still good enough to tie hot Palmeiras 1-1 at home, in a well fought and balanced encounter that could have ended with anyone's win. The team showed lots of determination during the whole game, and will not likely repeat Sao Paulo's poor form in the National league after winning the Libertadores in 2005. Inter is in fourth in the standings, with 30 points.

In other matches, Flamengo got a last minute goal at home to beat Gremio, while Corinthians got its second win in as many games under its new coach in a 1-0 win over Botafogo. Both Corinthians and Botafogo still find themselves in the bottom four, alongside Atletico Paranaense and Santa Cruz, which had away draws on the weekend, 3-3 against Figueirense and 1-1 against Fluminense, respectively.

Fortaleza, on the meantime, climbed above the danger zone with a strong outing, a 4-1 trouncing of Juventude. With 20 points, the team is one ahead of Corinthians and tied with Goias, which came back from a 2-0 deficit away at Ponte Preta only to lose the game 3-2 in the dying moments, when a penalty kick was taken three times before being validated - in the first two attempts, the referee ordered a retake alleging Goias goalkeeper moved away from the goaline before the kick was taken.

The next round, to be played on Wednesday and Thursday, will be the last of the first stage. The most important match of the 19th round pits Sao Paulo at home against Parana, in the battle of the top two teams in the standings. Inter is away to Goias, while Santos travels to Recife to face Santa Cruz.

Standings (after 18 rounds): 1. Sao Paulo 34 points, 17 games played; 2. Parana 31, 17; 3. Santos 31, 18; 4. Inter 30, 17; 5. Fluminense 29, 18; 6. Cruzeiro, Figueirense 27, 18; 8. Gremio, Vasco 26, 18; 10. Sao Caetano 24, 18; 11. Juventude, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Ponte Preta 22, 18; 15. Goias, Fortaleza 20, 18; 17. Corinthians 19, 18; 18. Atletico Paranaense 18, 17; 19. Botafogo 18 18; 20. Santa Cruz 17, 18.