© Reuters 2002

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Romario won and converted a controversial late penalty to give Fluminense a 3-2 win over Botafogo in the Rio de Janeiro derby at the weekend.

Romario went tumbling in the penalty area after a challenge from Botafogo goalkeeper Carlos Germano but television replays suggested that no contact had been made.

The 36-year-old former Brazil striker, who had wasted three excellent chances earlier in the game, calmly converted the 80th-minute kick following furious Botafogo protests to claim his 12th goal of the championship.

Botafogo led twice, through a Galenao penalty and a Leo Inacio free kick, but defender Cesar and striker Magno Alves hit back each time. The win lifted Flumimense to tenth in the table and put them back into the fight for a top-eight finish and a place in the knockout stages. Botafogo are 24th and stuck in the relegation zone.

Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni scored from a free kick as the leaders won 3-1 at Portuguesa to all but clinch a quarter-final place. Rogerio's goal, midway through the first half, was the 29th of his career but his first of the championship.

"It's been a long time since I scored and I'm very happy," said the Brazil international.

Portuguesa equalised through Luiz Henrique before halftime but two second half goals from striker Luis Fabiano gave Sao Paulo their sixth successive win.

RIOT POLICE
Santos, who had lost their last three games and were involved in a fight with riot police at Paysandu on Wednesday, bounced back with a 3-0 win over nine-man Flamengo.

Saturday's match turned when Flamengo defender Andre Dias was sent off for violent play in the 22nd minute. Santos, fourth in the table, scored three times before halftime through William, Robert and Robinho and missed a penalty early in the second half when Elano hit the crossbar. Flamengo's Valnei was also sent off for dissent.

Juventude came from two goals behind to beat Figueirense 3-2 and go back into second place while an 81st minute header from Rodrigo Mendes gave Gremio a 1-0 win over Internacional in their "Gre-Nal" derby in Porto Alegre.

Gremio are seventh while Internacional, 17th, slid back towards the relegation zone. Defending champions Atletico Paranaense won for the first time in seven attempts when they beat local rivals Coritiba 1-0.
(C) Reuters Limited 2002.