Sao Paulo: Cruzeiro's lead in the Brazilian league has been cut to nine points after a 2-1 loss to struggling Coritiba on Sunday, its third defeat in four matches
Former Barcelona striker Keirrison scored Coritiba's winner in the 73rd minute, handing Cruzeiro its sixth loss of the tournament and keeping it stuck on 62 points with eight rounds remaining.
It the margin could have closed even more, but all of Cruzeiro's closest pursuers failed to win: second-place Gremio drew 2-2 with rival Internacional, third-place Atletico Paranaense lost 3-0 at Goias and fourth-place Botafogo relinquished a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Rio de Janeiro rival Vasco da Gama.
Defending champion Fluminense drew 1-1 with next-to-last Ponte Preta on Saturday, extending its winless streak to six matches and remaining in danger of relegation.
