Cruzeiro's lead at the top of the Campeonato was cut to seven points after a 1-0 home defeat to Corinthians on Wednesday.
The hosts had built a sizeable advantage at the top of the standings and while they still have breathing room, substitute Luciano's strike in the 73rd minute handed them only their fifth defeat of the season. Luciano's effort, 12 minutes after coming on helped Sao Paulo close the gap after they edged to a 1-0 win over Atletico Paranaense, with Maicon's sixth-minute effort proving the difference between the sides.
Gremio moved up to fourth in the table after a 2-0 triumph over Sport Recife. Alan Ruiz opened the scoring on the half hour mark while Dudu's effort 14 minutes from time made the points safe.
Botafogo remain rooted the bottom of the standings after Jose Henrique's strike five minutes after half-time gave Palmeiras a 1-0 victory.
Criciuma are just a point and a place better off as they were beaten by the same scoreline at Coritiba, who moved out of the drop zone courtesy of Luccas Claro's effort on the stroke of half-time.
Vitoria could have left Coritiba still in the bottom four had they not let slip a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Goias. Edno struck in the third and 41st minutes but Erik Lima halved the deficit after 73 minutes before substitute Bruno Mineiro scored almost immediately after to ensure the spoils were shared and leave Vitoria third bottom.
Flamengo moved above Figueirense in the table as Nixon's last-gasp effort gave the visitors a 2-1 win. Former Arsenal striker Eduardo gave Flamengo an early lead, which was cancelled out by Mazola in the 56th minute and although it appeared the points would be split, Nixon, who replaced Eduardo with 10 minutes remaining, settled matters.
Source: FIFA.com