The opening weekend of the Brasileirão 2005 saw some great games, goals and threw up a few unexpected results. The championship started on Saturday with Paraná vs Goiás and Atlético-MG vs Figueirense. Goiás managing a 2 nil away win thanks to Lei and Fábio.
The Atlético-MG game was the thriller of the day, which saw Atlético win 4-1 with goals from Ataliba, Euller, Rodrigo Fabri, Fábio Junior for Atlético and Rodrigo scoring for Figueirense. São Caetano and Palmeiras played out a 2-2 draw.
In the last game of the day, Cruzeiro visited the Maracana to take on Flamengo. Cruzeiro quickly went ahead through Fred, but they were unable to hold on for the win and Junior Baiano netted an equaliser to earn a point for Flamengo, coached for the day by Andrade before Celso Roth takes charge on Monday.
Sunday saw the remaining fixtures kick off. The ‘Galatico’s’ Corinthians could only manage a 2-2 draw with Juventude, who gave them a shock by going ahead in the 6th min thanks to Enílton, Carlos Tevez scored a stunning 30 yard strike 4 mins later to equalise and Marcelo Mattos thought he has sealed the points at the end of the first half. But Juventude continued to play and eventually were rewarded for their hard work with a late equaliser.
Santos had an excellent start to the season winning 4-1 against Paysandu with goals from Deivid, Robinho, Edmílson, Deivid, and an unfortunate own goal from Leonardo.
But the game of the weekend was the Rio State champions Fluminense, against Paulista champions, São Paulo. The game brought together two of the best strikers in the championship, Grafite for the São Paulo and Tuta for Fluminense. It was Tuta who dominated in front of a passionate Maracana crowd. A 29th minute penalty saw Fluminense go ahead. There were very few chances at either end, put Flu dominated, eventually Tuta doubled ‘Flu’s’ advantage in the 74th minute. However Souza scored, three minutes later to keep São Paulo in it. But Abel Braga’s team held on and came away with a good win against one of the favourites for the tournament.
In the other games Botafogo had a great start with a 2-0 away win against Internacional with goals from César Prates and Túlio. Coritiba managed a 1-0 win at Fortalez. Atlético-PR lost to Ponte Preta 0 – 1 and Vasco could only get a 2-2 draw at Brasiliense-DF.
Saturday 23rd April
Paraná 0 x 2 Goiás
Atlético-MG 4 x 1 Figueirense
São Caetano 2 x 2 Palmeiras
Flamengo 1 x 1Cruzeiro
Sunday 24th April
Internacional 0 x 2 Botafogo-RJ
Fortaleza 0 x 1Coritiba
Fluminense 2 x 1 São Paulo
Corinthians 2 x 2 Juventude
Atlético-PR 0 x 1 Ponte Preta
Santos 4 x 1 Paysandu-PA
Brasiliense-DF 2 x 2 Vasco
