By Samindra Kunti
November 29 – Palmeiras clinched a record ninth Brazilian league title with a week to spare by beating Chapecoense 1-0 at home on Sunday. The 2016 title ends a 22-year drought for the Sao Paulo-based club. But celebrations have been muted by the tragic plane crash over Colombia Monday night. The plane was carrying the team to the Copa Subamerica final in Medellin.
Palmeiras is one of the biggest clubs in Brazil, with a large fan base across the country. They last won the Brazilian league title in 1994. Their victory against Chapecoense ensured an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Flamengo with one round of matches remaining.
Fabiano scored the only goal of the match in the 25th minute at a packed Allianz Parque. He poked a high-arching lob over a helpless Chapecoense keeper Danilo, who watched the ball sail past him into the net for the game’s first goal.
A great save by Danilo from Gabriel Jesus, who is bound for Manchester City, prevented Palmeiras from doubling their lead. Palmeiras continued to dominate ball possession in the second half to hold on for the narrow victory.
Palmeiras have a total of 77 points, seven ahead of Rio’s CR Flamengo, who leapfrogged Santos into second place with an impressive 2-0 win over against the seaside club.
Palmeiras’s triumph is a record ninth league title, one more than Santos. “We’re going down in history,” veteran utility player Ze Roberto said in a television interview after they lifted the title in front of an elated crowd at the packed Allianz Parque. “This is the start of a new era.”
In the recent past, the club had lost much their aura, suffering from two relegations since 2002. Palmeiras after spending 2014 in the second division and under the guidance of coach they dominated the Brazilian league this year.
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