Cruzeiro and Bragantino Miss Golden Chance to Top Tight Brasileirão

On a matchday shaped by postponements due to the Club World Cup, Cruzeiro and Red Bull Bragantino failed to capitalize on Flamengo’s absence and take the top spot in Brazil’s Série A. As AFP reported, both teams fell short on Thursday in a round that leaves the league table even tighter heading into the break.

Cruzeiro were held to a goalless draw at Vitória in Salvador under torrential rain that flooded the pitch. The game was marred by the severe ankle injury suffered by Vitória’s left-back Jamerson, who left the field in an ambulance after fracturing ligaments. "There was no football today, just a battle with the ball," lamented coach Leonardo Jardim. With the draw, Cruzeiro moved level on points with Flamengo (24), but trail on goal difference.

Bragantino, meanwhile, suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Bahia. After a red card to Andrés Hurtado in the 10th minute, the hosts collapsed. Bahia—backed by the City Football Group—capitalized with goals from Luciano Juba, a Guilherme Lopes own goal, and a second-half strike by Michel Araújo. "We were robbed by the ref. It’s a huge frustration," said Paraguayan striker Isidro Pitta.

Bahia’s win lifts them to fifth place, three points off the lead. Bragantino remain third, just behind Flamengo and Cruzeiro.

Down the table, pressure mounts for heavyweights São Paulo and Internacional. Zubeldía’s side lost 3-1 at home to Vasco da Gama, with veteran Philippe Coutinho shining on his 33rd birthday. Internacional fell 2-0 to Atlético Mineiro and now sits in the relegation zone.

Santos, despite Neymar's suspension, pulled off a dramatic 3-2 away win over Fortaleza thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Argentine Rollheiser, moving the club out of the bottom four.

Four matches were postponed, including Flamengo vs. Sport Recife, and will be rescheduled after the World Cup break. Until then, the Brasileirão remains tightly contested with no clear frontrunner.