Brazil’s Santos relegated for first time, Palmeiras champions
The coastal City team were one of three clubs, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo, never to have been relegated from Brazil's top flight but a woeful run of five games without a victory saw them drop to 17th in the standings with 43 points
Pele’s former club Santos have been relegated for the first time in their 111-year history following a 2-1 home loss to Fortaleza on Wednesday in the final round of Brazil’s Serie A.
The coastal City team were one of three clubs, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo, never to have been relegated from Brazil’s top flight but a woeful run of five games without a victory saw them drop to 17th in the standings with 43 points.
America Mineiro, Coritiba, and Goias had already been assured of relegation from the 20-team division.
Santos started the final day in the best position but wins for Bahia and Vasco saw them finish top of the bottom three in the relegation spots.
City Football Group-owned Bahia secured their top-flight status with a resounding 4-1 win over Atletico Mineiro, while Vasco da Gama stayed out of the drop zone with a 2-1 win over Bragantino.
Santos had looked set to stave off relegation when they stood level at 1-1 with Fortaleza in the second half and with Vasco being held 1-1 by Bragantino.
However, Serginho’s goal for Vasco in the 82nd minute and a stoppage-time goal from Fortaleza’s Lucero condemned the three-times Copa Libertadores champions to relegation in front of their frustrated home fans.
At the other end of the table, Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid in July, scored in the 21st minute to help Palmeiras to a 1-1 draw at Cruzeiro that secured back-to-back championships and a record-extending 12th title.
Story By: Princeton Wiredu
