Flamengo win second straight Brazilian Serie A title

RIO DE JANEIRO - Flamengo secured their second consecutive Brazilian Serie A title on Thursday despite a 2-1 defeat at Sao Paulo on the final day of the season.

Flamengo finished one point ahead of Internacional in the 20-team standings after the Porto Alegre side were held to a goalless home draw with Corinthians.

It marked Flamengo's seventh Brazilian top-flight crown and their second back-to-back triumph, repeating the feat achieved by the Zico-inspired team of 1982 and 1983.

"Tonight we didn't get the result that we wanted but what matters in this competition are the results over 38 rounds," an elated Flamengo manager Rogerio Ceni said after the match.

Ceni became just the eighth person to win the Brazilian Serie A trophy as both a player and manager.

The former Sao Paulo and Brazil international goalkeeper was appointed Flamengo boss in November, replacing Spaniard Domenec Torrent after an erratic run of results.

"To win this league with a club that I admire and respect so much makes me very happy. I'm sure that Rio de Janeiro was brought to a standstill today. Tomorrow the city will be a happier place."

Thursday's full round of fixtures also determined Brazil's 2021 Copa Libertadores places. Apart from Flamengo, Palmeiras qualified as the continental competition's reigning champions while Internacional, Atletico Mineiro, Sao Paulo, and Fluminense will also feature in the group stage.

Gremio and Santos earned a place in the qualifying rounds, however, the former could advance directly to the group stage by winning the Copa do Brasil final against Palmeiras, to be played over two legs on February 28 and March 7. Such a result would relegate Fluminense to the qualifying rounds.