November 26 – Can there ever be redemption after losing a World Cup semi-final 7-1 on home soil? Perhaps not, but Luiz Felipe Scolari must have felt a measure of satisfaction as he led Palmeiras to the Brazilian championship on Sunday, just months after having joined the Sao Paulo club.
Palmeiras, who won the league in 2016 under coach Cuca, needed three points at Vasco Da Gama to secure their second domestic title in three years and a second-half goal by Deyverson was enough for Palmeiras to secure the three points in Rio de Janeiro. Late on, Yago Pikachu was sent off for Vasco Da Gama.
Palmeiras have 77 points with one round of matches left, an unassailable lead for Flamengo in second place on 72 points. Next week Palmeiras will host Vitoria in a valedictory match to celebrate their triumph. The club has been unbeaten for 22 games, winning 16 and drawing six games.
Scolari joined Palmeiras in July when Palmeiras were lingering in sixth position in the table. The Brazilian had led Guangzhou Evergrande to three straight Chinese Super League titles and an Asian Champions League title, but he returned home to lead an ambitious Palmeiras.
“I am not old-fashioned, I am not the best and I am not the worst. I am a good coach,” said Scolari.
Scolari’s contract runs until the end 2020 with Palmeiras. In 1995 he won the Copa Libertadores with Gremio. He repeated the feat in 1999 with Palmeiras. He has won the Brazilian league title four times, but the 70-year old will always be remembered for one of the most astounding results in football history and Brazil’s biggest humiliation at a World Cup, the 2014 semi-final defeat against Germany when Brazil conceded seven goals.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714008476labto1714008476ofdlr1714008476owedi1714008476sni@o1714008476fni1714008476