Inter holds on to defeat Parana

Internacional managed to get three points out of the home game against Parana that had been postponed due to the Libertadores Cup final. The result lifted the team past Santos and into third place in the standings, with 44 points. The team from Porto Alegre is now six points behind Sao Paulo, which went to Curitiba and had to settle for a scoreless draw against Atletico Paranaense, in the other postponed game that was made up this weekend. Due to the Brazilian general elections on Sunday, these were the only two games played in the Brazilian Serie A this weekend.

Inter started its game well, and built a 3-0 lead in the first half at the Beira-Rio Stadium. All three goals were scored by defenders, with Indio netting the first after just nine minutes and Fabiano Eller scoring twice, in the 22nd and 31st minutes. The visitors came back in the second half but fell just short after Cristiano (76') and Sandro (89') had goals to give the locals a scare.

Meanwhile, in Curitiba, Atletico and Sao Paulo were unable to find the net. Both teams managed to create good chances during the first half, but failed when it came to placing the final touch in the ball. Goalkeepers Cleber and Bosco - replacing Sao Paulo's captain Rogerio Ceni, suspended - were sharp and made key saves in different moments of the initial 45 minutes. In the second half, the teams concentrated their actions in midfield and failed to create many scoring opportunities. The result left Sao Paulo with 50 points, five clear of second place Gremio.