Cruzeiro beats Vitoria 3-1 to win 3rd Brazilian league title with 4 rounds left

SAO PAULO – Cruzeiro won its third Brazilian league title after a 3-1 win against Vitoria on Wednesday, lifting the trophy with four rounds yet to be played.

Willian, Ricardo Goulart and former Brazil forward Julio Baptista scored for Cruzeiro, which started celebrating at halftime after second-place Atletico Paranaense lost 2-1 to Criciuma to end its chances.

With the title sealed, Cruzeiro equaled the 2007 mark set by Sao Paulo, which won with four rounds left.

Cruzeiro will head into the final rounds 16 points in front of Atletico Paranaense.

The Belo Horizonte team has held a comfortable lead since the halfway point of the tournament and it was just a matter of time before it clinched the title, the team’s first since 2003. Cruzeiro’s first championship came in 1966.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles